Dr. Nancy Fitzgerald received her Dental Hygiene degree from the University of Minnesota in 1985. After practicing for over twenty years as a dental hygienist, she returned to the University of Minnesota and attained her B.S. in Dental Hygiene Education in 2005. Dr. Fitzgerald earned her D.M.D. degree from Midwestern College of Dental Medicine - Glendale, AZ in 2012. She has practiced dentistry in Arizona and Florida. In 2013 she served as a part-time Pre-Clinical Adjunct Faculty for Midwestern University then transitioned to full-time Pre-Clinical Assistant Professor in 2014. Dr. Fitzgerald holds certifications in Laser Dentistry, Oral Sedation Dentistry, Comprehensive Orthodontics and Craniofacial Orthopedics, Epigenetic Orthodontics, and is an Associate Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.  She is an active member of The Academy of General Dentistry, Academy of Laser Dentistry, American Dental Education Association, the Arizona Dental Association, and the International Association for Dental Research/American Association of Dental Research (IADR/AADR).

This course will discuss laser applications performed by a dental hygienist in a general practice setting. The use of various diode lasers (Sirona SIROlaser, Gemini, and Picasso) will be discussed including the proper dosage parameters for clinical applications.

Laser procedures and treatment parameters for Laser Assisted Periodontal Therapy (LAPT with proper laser techniques, patient management terminology, CDT codes and fees, documentation, tissue healing assessment & management of complications. Additional procedures include: Photobiomodulation, treatment of herpetic lesions /aphthous ulcers, TMD, dentinal hypersensitivity, oral mucositis, xerostomia, bruxism, and orthodontic protocols will be discussed.

Participants will be introduced to basic laser safety, responsibilities of a Laser Safety Officer (LSO), how to set up and maintain a Laser Safety Manual and a dental operatory for laser use.

NOTE: This is NOT a certified laser safety course.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Identify clinical applications for the Sirona SIROlaser, Gemina, and Picasso lasers used by a certified dental hygienist.
2. Describe the basics of laser safety to ensure patient and personnel safety when utilizing dental lasers.
3. List the steps to set up a Laser Safety Manual and dental operatory for laser use.
4. Describe Photobiomodulation (PBM) treatment applications for the dental hygienist.

The Office of Continuing Education reserves the right to end registration when an enrollment limit is reached and to cancel, modify, or alter content or faculty for any course if circumstances indicate the need for such a change. If the school finds it necessary to cancel a course, a full refund will be granted. All attempts to contact registrants will be made as soon as possible in the event of a course cancellation. The school will not be held responsible for any losses due to travel arrangements made by the registrant.

In the event of inclement weather (such as a snow emergency) or other extenuating circumstances, the Office of Continuing Education may be forced to cancel a course. If a course has been canceled, we will contact participants by the email address provided. You may call or email our office on the day of the course if you are uncertain of a course’s status.

Refund Policy for Continuing Education

A refund or credit will be issued (less a $50 admin fee) if received no later than three weeks prior to the course date. Refunds or tuition credit will not be given after that time or to no-shows. This does not apply to the local anesthesia course.