The UMSOD Office of Continuing Education offers nearly 400 hours of continuing dental education courses each year. We are dedicated to lifelong learning and want to help you achieve your goals. Check this site often, as more courses are added frequently.

Have a question? Email umsodce@umaryland.edu or call 410-706-2282. We hope to see you at an upcoming course.

• CDT Coding Reimbursement-2021
  This CDT 2021 coding/reimbursement workshop is provided with the most accurate and up to date information by a current dental director of a dental benefits company. The CDT code review will use actual claims. Practice management tips will include narratives for claim submission, record keeping that will support the claims and when and how to adjust practice fees.

• Novel Tray Options for Bleaching, Sensitivity, Caries Control, & Splints in a Pandemic
  While the typical bleaching tray fabrication is well described, sometimes there are situations for which either different tray fabrication options or different impression techniques may serve the patient and the practice better. In this pandemic when typical alginate impressions may not be desirable on some patients, thermoplastic trays may be indicated for children, orthodontic patients, high caries patients, while splints may need a different approach as well.

• New Perspectives on TMD: A Diagnostic Challenge
  Temporomandibular disorders have many concepts associated with them, some of which are supported by sound data and some of which are not.  This complexity arises from the many problems that can be arise with masticatory function.  In order to effectively manage and treat TMD, the clinician must be able to recognize these disorders from other orofacial pain disorders.  Highlighting facts and fantasies related to the etiology of TMD, as well as discussing the diagnostic challenges thereof, will be the focus of this presentation.

• Practical Approaches to Special Care Dentistry
  According to the US Census Bureau, approximately 1 out of 5 Americans have a disability. Providing oral health care to individuals with disabilities may require modifications to the types of treatment rendered and the way it is delivered. This course is targeted toward dental health providers looking to increase their ability to deliver dental care to individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (ID/DD), acquired disabilities, and other special healthcare needs.

• Multi-discipline Orthodontics 
  This course will describe and illustrate different ways orthodontic treatment can facilitate and work in conjunction with other dental specialties resulting in a more desirable treatment.

• Dr. Harry W. F. Dressel Jr. Memorial Lecture: 
  Delivery of Dental Care at the UMSOD in the Era of COVID-19: How Did We Do It?
  This program will review the latest information on the epidemiology, testing, treatment, management and vaccinations of COVID-19; and how the UMSOD developed infection control policies and procedures to deliver dental care that protects patients, students, faculty and staff in the era of COVID-19. Registration fee: Complimentary, this event is part of the 2021 All-Alumni Reunion.

• Radiographic Interpretation: Benign or malignant and how to tell the difference 
  With the adoption of cone beam CT technology, the dental practitioner is required to manage significantly more anatomical information and potentially more knowledge of maxillofacial pathoses than with 2D imaging. A more comprehensive understanding of how to recognize pathoses in CBCT volumes is required to recognize and describe abnormalities. A very significant part of this task is to be able to find and differentiate benign from malignant lesions. This course is designed to prepare the dental practitioner to systematically review a CBCT volume, recognize and categorize signs of abnormalities and how to tell the difference between benign and malignant lesions.
• 9300nm CO2 Laser Experiences in the Dental Setting 
  This course will summarize the physical properties and clinical experiences available to dental practitioners using a 9300nm CO₂ laser.

• Infection Control In The Era of COVID-19: What Dental Practitioners Need to Know | Proper Pharmacologic Prescribing and Disposal | Abuse: The Regulations, and the Impact of COVID-19
  These courses satisfy the continuing dental education credits required for Maryland dental re-licensure in infection control, abuse and neglect, and prescription drug monitoring and disposal.
• Restorative Options for Missing Anterior Tooth
  This presentation will review some evidence-based treatment options for restoring a missing anterior tooth. While there are 3 common options, it is sometimes challenging to pick one option over the other. A matrix will be illustrated to help the clinician come up with restorative solutions in the esthetic zone.
• Cannabis and Oral Health
  The use of cannabis and cannabis-based products continue to rise in the United States and Canada. Unfortunately, research is often conflicting or unclear as to the benefits or harm of cannabis to the body or oral tissue. This lecture will provide a succinct overview of the forms of cannabis, how it is used and the health implications for the practicing dentist.
• 4 Key Strategies in Managing a Periodontal Patient in a Changing Practice Environment
  Being effective in incorporating periodontics into the practice of dentistry can be a challenge in today’s environment.  However, adhering to a mission of quality patient care, enhanced mental/physical well-being, with positive financial growth can overcome any respective hurdles. We examine effective strategies to create a workflow that results in positive periodontal case acceptance. Current relationships between periodontal diseases and susceptibility to viral infections is demonstrated. By building on a growth area in periodontics from nonsurgical to surgical procedures especially with the “over 55” population produces net gain with reduced overhead. Being discriminate on technology assets with a selection producing value added revenue results in a unique practice niche that adds new patients and retains existing patients. 

• Essentials of Sedation in Dentistry 
  This seminar will offer a review of safe in office sedation modalities. We will cover the pros, cons, risks, objectives of oral sedation, nitrous oxide, and local anesthesia, IV moderate sedation and general anesthesia will be covered as informational and for comparison. Both pediatric and adult patient issues will be discussed. 
  
• A Practical Guide to Incorporating Silver Diamine Fluoride in your Practice for Primary Teeth 
  This course is designed for dental practitioners and their staff who wish to learn more about the use of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) on primary teeth and how to incorporate SDF into their dental practice. The course will provide an introduction to SDF, summary of the primary literature on the efficacy of SDF in children, review a protocol for applying SDF on primary teeth, and discuss clinic set-up and materials to facilitate the use of SDF. This practical guide on incorporating SDF into a dental practice will include a discussion of family education, informed consent, recommended patient selection, application duration, documentation, dentist's role, assistant's role and video of application with clean-up. This course is consistent with the AAPD's 'Chairside guide: Silver Diamine Fluoride in the Management of Dental Caries Lesions.'
• Managing the Most Common Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office 
  Today’s dental healthcare professionals are being asked to manage more medically-compromised patients.   These patients present higher risk for in-office medical emergencies.  In this course we will use a case-based approach to review the management of the most common medical emergencies the dental team may face.  We will not cover the one-in-a-million medical complication, but instead we will focus on giving practical information needed in a medical emergency.  The presentation will also include instruction on the proper use of the drugs and equipment used to manage medical emergencies.
• What is That Thing? Differential Diagnosis of Oral Disorders 
  Put on your thinking caps on as your diagnostic abilities are about to be tested.  Real world cases will frame a discussion on the differential diagnosis process.  In this presentation, the “mysteries” of pathology will become clear, allowing you to communicate more effectively with your patient regarding their oral diseases.  You will learn key points to help make your life easier and practical information that can be immediately applied.  A myriad of topics and cutting edge information will be discussed, and include: What is that thing and how do I treat it? What caused this and how do I prevent it? And if it hurts, what will make it feel better?

• Dental Sleep Medicine and Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) and Why It’s Important to your Practice
  As part of this program, participants will learn the necessary steps to complete a comprehensive TMD evaluation and will be given information on the epidemiology, classification, signs, and symptoms of these conditions. Participants will also receive instruction on how to develop an appropriate plan of care for SLEEP - TMD patients, while understanding when adjunct forms of therapy should be incorporated.
• The Double-Edged Sword of Sedation: Understanding the Power that You Wield
  This course will review essential concepts that guide dentists who provide sedation.
• Endogastritis: Causes and Cures
  The treatment for endogastritis is prevention of the underlying problem. When you are faced with the predicament, the best approach is a period of contemplation followed by a coordinated treatment plan to correct it.
• Panoramic Re-Primer
  The purpose of this lecture is to remind (or “re-prime”) dentists’ knowledge about panoramic imaging: how to systematically review the panoramic image, technical errors, and variations in normal anatomy that may simulate the appearance of disease; limitations of panoramic images in diagnosis; and when (and when not) to order imaging.

• Portlandia Dentistry: An Evidence-Based Exploration of the Alternative Dentistry Movement
  In this course, you will learn how to effectively communicate with your patients in regard to alternative dental care and provide them with evidence-based advice while at the same time respecting their autonomy and personal choices.
• Marijuana Legalization and the Modern Dental Practice: Ethical and Medical Considerations for Treatment Planning
  Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug. Legalization in several states, and pending legislation in many others, has amplified the need for medical providers to understand how the drug not only affects a patient’s physical health but their psychological well-being as well. 
  
• Digital Dentistry: Novelty or Necessity?
  This presentation will review the fundamentals of digital dentistry and describe workflows, new technologies, and clinical applications so that an informed decision can be made regarding the implementation of digital dentistry. 
• Most Common Oral Lesions: What You Need to Know in Oral Pathology, Oral Medicine, and Oral Radiology 
  This course will cover practical clinical oral pathology with an emphasis on both normal and abnormal conditions commonly seen in the dental practice, including systematic examination and interpretations as well as diagnosis, management, and the use of screening tools and biopsies, by reviewing cases.

• Geriatric Oral Health Platform
  

  This course is designed to examine the impact of common chronic conditions on oral health in older adults. We will discuss relevant chronic diseases, including how poor nutritional intake relates to oral health in medically vulnerable elderly patients. The course will also evaluate the impact of the Age-Friendly Age System innovation on geriatric oral health and what the future of oral health in the elderly may hold.

• Cone Beam CT: Technical Aspects to Get the Most Out of it in the Clinics
  

  This course will provide clinicians an overview of the different technical aspects involved in acquiring, reconstructing, and viewing cone beam CT images to improve image quality and lead to better use of CBCT as an essential tool for diagnosis.

• Diagnosis of Common Nodules and Masses of the Oral Cavity
  

  As a general practitioner, it is important to know the common lesions (soft, firm, or bony; localized or generalized; and sessile or pedunculated lumps or bumps) occurring in different areas in the mouth, to have a differential diagnosis, and to know management options. Actual case presentations and management issues will be discussed.

• The 2017 Periodontal Classification
  

  This course will review the classification of periodontal and peri-implant diseases and conditions, taking into account the etiology, pathogenesis, and natural history of these diseases and conditions. 

• A Review of Evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines for Non-Restorative Management of Caries Lesions in Primary and Permanent Teeth
  

  The objective of this presentation is to provide an overview of the most recent ADA clinical practice guidelines, derived from a systematic review of the literature, for the non-restorative management of non-cavitated and cavitated caries lesions in primary and permanent teeth. 

• The New (and Old) Tobacco Products: Health Effect and Helping Patients
  

  Dental professionals must understand the health implications of non-cigarette products to provide proper treatment and counseling. Brief, simple, and effective strategies can increase patients' motivation to quit and achieve a tobacco-free future. 

• Digital Dentures: Where are we now?
  

  This overview will briefly discuss the current state of digital dentures, including software options, milling and printing, and easy-to-incorporate workflows - with or without an in-office scanner.

• CBCT for Endodontics
  

  This course will describe the use of small field of view (FOV) CBCT in endodontic diagnosis and management of cases.

• Substance Use Disorder
  

  This course is a virtual two-hour course focusing on evidence-based best practices for use of opioids in pain management in the dental office. 

• 60 Minute Review of Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen Sedation and 60 Minute Review of Local Anesthesia Techniques
  This course is a concise, evidence-based overview in nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation, as well as modifications to specific local anesthesia techniques.
  
  
• Genetics in Dental Practice, Are You Ready?

  Based on the expanding market of commercial personalized genetic test kits, dentists should be prepared to discuss genetic factors, testing, and susceptibility to for dental disorders with their patients. This presentation will provide a foundation in genetics, resources, genetic disorders, and the application of gene-wide association studies in the dental practice.

• Tertiary Implant Stability

  Via a live narrated Zoom PowerPoint presentation followed by a Q&A period, this course focuses on the treatment planning, technical, and maintenance aspects of implant surgery which can mean the difference between durable success and deteriorating failure.

• 5 STEPS TO PRACTICING DENTISTRY PAIN-FREE: Evidence-based Strategies for a Long and Healthy Career

  This dynamic interactive webinar introduces ground-breaking education that can help rejuvenate your love of dentistry and transform your life!

• Silver Diamine Fluoride is the New Black in Medical Management of Caries: What, Why, When, How?

  This session will cover the WHAT: history of development, mechanisms, evidence, and chemistry of SDF; the WHY: advantages and disadvantages with supportive evidence; the WHEN: clinical uses, indications and contraindications; and the HOW: incorporation into restorative practice, clinical protocols, and clinical tips from practicing dentists all over the globe. 

• Partial Root Extraction Therapy (PET): A Tactic to Rescue the Buccal Plate
  

  Research has shown great potential in partial extraction therapies (PET) where part of the natural tooth root is purposely left attached to the buccal plate of bone to prevent its loss. These therapies are more conservative than normal extractions and require no additional materials. This presentation aims at shedding more light on this technique as well as its contraindications and limitations. 

• Educating the Dental Team on Nutritional Counseling for the Patient: From Birth through the Life Cycle 

  This presentation will discuss the definition of nutrition as well as distinguish between evidence-based ideas and nutritional myths.

• Treating Anterior Discolorations: Micro-abrasions, Resin Infiltration, and Bleaching 
  

  The aim of this course is to help the clinician determine which treatment is suited for different types of lesions, to make the clinician familiar with the different products available, and to show the clinician the tips and pitfalls of each procedure.

• Oral Cancer and Premalignancy: Guide to Diagnosis and Management 
  

  This course serves as a review of the clinical and microscopic features of oral premalignant lesions and oral squamous cell carcinoma.