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.

• Digital Workflow - Single-tooth Replacement 
  

  This presentation will focus on sound treatment philosophy incorporating the latest technology and digital options. Patient presentations highlighting step-wise planning and treatment will concentrate on clinical situations focused on single tooth replacement with a focus on immediate implants and esthetic outcomes.

• Hot Topics in Dental Pharmacology 
  

  An update on current issues focusing on biologic agents (monoclonal antibodies), pain management and antibiotic therapy.

• Bioactive Materials for Pulp Protection and Pulp Capping 
  

  This presentation will provide a brief overview of the materials clinicians have available for pulp protection, their mechanism of action, and overall success rates of pulp capping therapies in adults.

• Turning Patient Questions into Opportunities: Effective, Evidence-Based Communication for a Covid World 
  

  A conversation with a patient is not an intellectual exercise.  It is an opportunity to deliver specific messages to an interested audience. This course will examine the science of communication and the art of understanding.

• The Art and Science of Endodontic Diagnosis 
  This seminar will review how to acquire a comprehensive history from the patient and methodically and systematically conduct clinical and radiographic tests in order to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.
• Class II Restorative Complications and Solutions 
  

  The go-to material of choice for posterior Class II restorations is resin composite. Despite our best efforts, complications with the direct placement of composite happen—sensitivity, marginal overhangs, chipping, and de-bonding just to name a few. Dr. Brock combines over twenty years of clinical experience in private practice with original research by his team at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry to provide practical solutions to these far too common complications.

• Busting Biofilm: Classic to New Age Solutions 
  Biofilm management is a principal goal of preventive and nonsurgical periodontal therapy.  As part of maintaining optimal oral health, biofilm management requires daily patient self-care in combination with routine professional care for biofilm removal.  As oral health care professionals we must also stay up to date with biofilm removal products that best meet each patient’s needs.
• Diagnostic Tests in Periodontics: Concepts and Applications 
  

  This course aims at presenting a review of periodontal disease progression concepts and the rationale behind some of the markers and biological fluids used in periodontal diagnostic tests. Additionally, basic principles of the biotechnological tools used to detect and quantify these markers are to be presented, along with their relative advantages, limitations, and potential pitfalls.

• Surgical Microscope Enhancing Periodontal and Implant Treatment Outcomes 
  

  This course will focus on the principles and rationale of using the surgical microscope for periodontal and guided bone regeneration, supplemented by case demonstrations.

• Nitrous Oxide Analgesia
  

  This course will introduce the participant to the use of nitrous oxide conscious sedation to manage anxiety in patients. 
  

• Infection Control in the Era of COVID-19

This program will provide dental providers with the latest information on the epidemiology, testing, treatment and management of COVID-19. The latest COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination strategies will be discussed. Additionally, this program will provide dental providers with the latest information on the management of COVID-19 in the dental office. Paramount to controlling this pandemic are the principles of respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette and enhancements in respiratory protection that may need to be implemented. Emphasis will be placed on compliance issues and how a practical, cost effective “safe workplace” can be achieved.

• Simplifying Adhesive Dentistry 
  

  The aim of this course is to provide evidence-based information to the clinician, explaining how to apply complex concepts to clinical practice, in a simple way.

• Main Challenges for Recent Graduates Performing Endodontic Therapy 
  This session will be dedicated to such issues as practical diagnosis, when to refer, how to achieve profound anesthesia, minimization of iatrogenic errors, various instrumentation techniques and obturation options.
• Dental Office Embezzlement: Prevention, Detection, Proper Record Keeping

A fascinating two-hour class presented by Dr. Ron Moser and Anne Moser that covers all aspects of how proper record keeping is a dentist’s best friend in preventing and detecting embezzlement, identity theft, and insurance fraud. 

Nearly all fraud that occurs in dental offices requires the perpetrator to alter records and steal in a way that the dentist will not be expecting or missing payments. 

Statistics show that 60% of dentists will be victims of dental office embezzlement, but after factoring in the staggering volume of unreported embezzlement, that number jumps to 90 %. 

You will learn how proper checks and balances will help prevent and detect embezzlement.

In the second hour of the class, we give dentists a captivating glimpse into a real dental crime case.  Doctors will get to view video deposition segments and records from a complex embezzlement case.  Video depositions and records show how crafty and devious thieves penetrate patient records to commit atrocious financial crimes and how they were caught and prosecuted.

• Pharmacology Update for Today's Dental Practice 
  In this lecture we will review and become familiar with drugs that impact the daily general practice. We will discuss how to evaluate new drugs and potential effects in dental practice.
• Intuitive Endodontics 
  As a result of recent advances in metallurgy, we now have both heat treated and non-heat treated rotary files.  They each possess different properties and both have distinct indications for use, as well as limitations.
• Periodontal Update for the Hygiene Team 
  This course will review Connections Between System and Periodontal Disease, as well as an Overview of the New Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Conditions.
• Red, White and Ulcerative Lesions: When Bad Things Happen to Good Oral Mucosa 
  Pathology of the oral mucosa entails a vast array of diseases that often confuse even the most experienced clinician. This course aims to use a “basic lesion” classification of oral mucosal pathology to help navigate and prioritize diagnosis and management of the patient.

• Esthetic Concepts in Implant Dentistry 
  

  This presentation will include hard and soft tissue considerations for long term maintenance of peri-implant health. Implants in an esthetic area are considered complex due to a variety of reasons. A clinician needs to consider various aspects such as ridge dimensions, smile line, soft tissue quality, implant position, papilla height among others, when placing implants in an esthetic region.

• Prevention and Management of Oral Complications in Medical Oncology 
  

  This presentation will focus on identification and treatment/prevention of common oral complications of cancer therapy with a focus on complications of chemotherapy and hematopoietic cell transplantation including oral mucositis, oral infections, salivary gland dysfunction, medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, and emerging complications of immunotherapies.

• Collaborative Healthcare for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities 
  Dentists will learn how to meet the treatment needs for persons with intellectual disabilities in a collaborative incremental care model. We will review effective practice management strategies for successful delivery of treatment in a health team approach.  The principles of collaborative care patient management, oral health prevention and necessary accommodations across the lifespan are emphasized.
• 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.

• How to Practically Manage the Side Effects of Mandibular Advancement Devices in the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: an Interactive Webinar 
  

  This interactive webinar will test your knowledge about mandibular advancement device (MAD) therapy, as well as your differential diagnosis and therapeutic approach for their related side effects. It will be organized around clinical cases with very different profiles, as well as different designs of oral appliances. 

• Recognizing and Managing Critical Oral Pathology 
  Ever encounter an oral lesion and not know what it is or what to do about it? Join us to review concerning oral lesions with plenty of pictures and management recommendations. 
• Alternative Medicine for the Dental Healthcare Provider 
  

  With the cost of rising health care, and a shift towards self-medicating, the consumer demand for 100% natural products has increased dramatically.  This course will review the most common/y used herbs and natural substances. It will also provide you with information on drug herb interactions and unsafe herbs and natural supplements.

• Top 5 prescribed drugs: What do you need to know? 
  Pharmacology is the study of Drugs and their effects on the human body. Chronic medical conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, endocrine disorders, and neurological conditions are very prevalent worldwide. In this course we will discuss the top 5 prescribed drugs in North America. We will review the pharmacological actions of these drugs, any reported adverse reactions and drug interactions associated with their use. 
• Cracked Teeth: Diagnosis and Management from an Endodontic Perspective 
  

  This presentation will discuss the clinical diagnosis of cracked teeth and the treatment options. Endodontic treatment has been proved to be effective in saving most cracked teeth. 

• Implant Dental Malpractice: Avoiding the Inevitable 
  

  This program will provide current information on the evolving standards for treatment planning, imaging, recognition and management of complications.

• Caries Management in Practice 
  The course will provide the latest evidence-based information on caries risk assessment and caries management that will aid the practitioner and his/her team in delivering optimal care for all patients in clinical practice. The course will describe the tools to implement “caries management by risk assessment” in the dental office or in an academic environment.
• The Worn Dentition: Finding ways to Meet and Treat the Challenges...from planning through execution 
  

  The challenges of the worn dentition leave many mystified with what treatment is possible and affordable. Learn insights to proper assessment and treatment options that can vary greatly and yet still fulfill patient objectives and save teeth.

• Bad to the Bone: Dental Oncology for the Restorative Dental Team 
  This course presents a compilation of the experience gained by that clinic, which will provide tools that the attendee can use immediately in the care of their patients. The attendees will receive materials that can become a reference manual for the practice in the assessment and treatment of oncology patients.
• Combined Inhalation-Enteral Conscious Sedation for the Adult Dental Patient / Includes Airway Management and Emergencies 
  This intensive 24-hour course is offered to the dentist and staff for training in the safe and effective use of combined inhalation (Nitrous Oxide)-enteral (oral) conscious sedation in the adult dental patient. 
• Nitrous Oxide Administration and Monitoring for the Dental Hygienist

  The Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners (MSBDE) adopted rules and regulations which allow properlytrained registered dental hygienists to monitor and administer nitrous oxide sedation during dental related procedures. This course fulfills MSBDE educational requirements for registered dental hygienists.

  The first portion of this course will consist of four hours of lecture, followed by a written examination. The course will include the history, physiological and pharmacologic effects of nitrous oxide sedation; definitions and descriptions of the physiological and psychological aspects of pain and anxiety;  concepts and management of pain and anxiety; indications and contraindications; anatomy and physiology of respiration; medical assessment of a patient prior to administration of nitrous oxide; armamentarium and equipment; moderate sedation, deep sedation and general anesthesia versus nitrous oxide at anxiolytic levels pharmacological and physiological effects of nitrous oxide, including drug interactions; a description of the distinction between conscious and unconscious state; monitoring and evaluating a patient to whom nitrous oxide has been administered; chart documentation; occupations exposure and toxicity; preventing, recognizing and managing possible complications and medical emergencies of inhalation sedation.

  Attendees will also participate in a two-hour practical demonstration and proficiency testing where they will administer and monitor nitrous oxide. Course work includes readings and a homework assignment. Course participants must pass the written and proficiency examination with a 75 or greater. This course prepares the participant to successfully pass the CDCA written nitrous oxide examination for certification by the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners.

• Treatment planning for full arch implant rehabilitation (Digitally driven implant dentistry) 
  This course offers an introduction to implant planning in full arch cases. It includes the use of digital technology to plan and restore the fully edentulous patients.
• Oral Pathology Review and Updates
  

  The speaker will discuss common pathologies of the orofacial complex and the clinical, pathologic, and radiographic features (when applicable). This session will also address the clinical manifestations of common ulcerative lesions in the oral cavity.

  Also covered will be oral cancer, HPV related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, and other HPV related oral lesions. The oral systemic disease connection will be discussed.

• Proper Pharmacologic Prescribing and Disposal | Abuse: The Regulations, and the Impact of COVID-19 | Infection Control In The Era 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. For individual course descriptions click the corresponding link Proper Pharmacologic Prescribing and Disposal for Dental Practitioners, Abuse Regulations for the Dental Team: The Impact of COVID-19, and Infection Control In The Era of COVID-19: What Dental Practitioners Need to Know.

• Local Anesthesia for Dental Hygienists
  

  The Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners (MSBDE) adopted rules and regulations which allow properly trained registered dental hygienists to monitor and administer local anesthesia, including a mandibular block during dental related procedures. This course fulfills MSBDE educational requirements for registered dental hygienists.

  Through a combination of lecture and hands-on lab work, participants will gain skills in the implementation of local anesthesia.  

  Attendees will participate in a two days of didactic learning, including hands-on demonstrations, followed by a written examination. On the third day participants will administer local anesthesia to a lab partner including proficiency testing. Course work includes readings and a homework assignment. Course participants must pass the written and proficiency clinical examination with a 75 or greater. This course prepares the participant to successfully pass the CDCA written local anesthesia examination for certification by the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners.