Laser Certification for Your Dental Practice (Hands-On)

PLEASE NOTE: Based on the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and our public health departments, all visitors coming to Midwestern University are required to complete an online health screening, wear face masks that cover the nose and mouth, and observe and follow social distancing protocols. Midwestern University also recommends getting the COVID-19 vaccination.

Course Description:

This course satisfies the Arizona Board of Dental Examiners requirement for laser training for both Dentists and Hygienists through a combination of lecture presentation , discussions and hands-on simulation training experience on a variety of lasers and various materials (pig jaws, carrots, and card stock). Dental Assistants and Staff may be certified as Laser Safety Officers by completing the Friday course.

Office staff may take an examination for a certificate of Laser Safety, which is appropriate for the Laser Safety Officer.

State approved examination and certification are provided by Midwestern University CDMA to all course participants.  The Standard Laser Certification will be mailed to all participants who successful pass the examination the following Monday. 

Attendees have an additional option of taking the online exam given by the Academy of Laser Dentistry for their members to complete the Academy's Standard Laser Certification. The examination will be offered at the close of the hands-on session and will require the participant to bring their own laptop. Cost of Academy membership and examination can be obtained from the Academy's website.  https://www.laserdentistry.org      

A Lunch and Learn Session is included for an additional hour of CE, with offerings in areas of special interest. Soon after you register, you will receive a survey link so that we can identify your Lunch & Learn interest(s) and select up to three laser wavelengths for which you wish to be certified during the Hands-On Session.

Lunch and Learn Topics are (if enough interest):  If there is enough interest, you would be able to divide into small groups: A. General Dentistry, B. Pediatric Dentistry, C. Endodontics, D. Dental Hygiene, E. Surgery, and, F. Pain Control and Healing.

Saturday, will offer a separate Hygiene track specifically for those lasers indicated in patient care.

This course satisfies the Arizona Board of Dental Examiners requirement for laser training through a combination of lecture presentation and hands-on simulation training experience (on pig jaws, carrots and other materials). Laser safety training is also included in the course.

Participants will gain knowledge in the operation and use of the following lasers:

1. 810 nm Diode
2. 970 nm Diode 
3. Hard & Soft Tissue Erbium
4. 10,600 nm CO ₂   (Soft Tissue)
5. Cold Laser Photobiomodulation
   
   

Course Objectives:

At the completion of the course, participants will be better able to:

1. Recognize the terminology used in laser dentistry;
2. Explain the physics of basic lasers;
3. Apply laser safety in the dental office;
4. Describe laser procedures appropriate to the doctor and dental hygienist; and
5. Demonstrate laser procedures in a laboratory setting.

Course Schedule:

Contact Person:

Martha C. Clements, MEd, Continuing Education Specialist
Email: mcleme@midwestern.edu    Office Phone: 623-572-3870

Presenter Biography: (Alphabetical order)

Alexander  Carroll, DDS, MBA, MHSM, FICD - Associate Dean: Dr. Carroll is a graduate of University of Southern California (DDS, 1981) and Arizona State University, W.P. Carey School of Business (MBA, 2010). He received his MHSM (Masters in Health Sector Management) degree from the ASU W.P. Carey School of Business in 2012.  He is the Course Director for Practice Management for D3 and D4 students. Dr. Carroll is Director of Clinical Care Coordinators in the Dental Institute.  He owned his private practice for 21 years with emphasis on prosthodontics, implantology and laser assisted procedures.  Dr. Carroll is the founder and 2 term past President of the German Academy for Laser Dentistry. He served as Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Southern California for 2 years before accepting his position at Midwestern University.  Dr. Carroll serves on the Editorial Board of The American Journal of Esthetic Dentistry. He was inducted as a fellow into the International College of Dentists in 2012. Dr. Carroll is a faculty member in Omega Kappa Upsilon. Currently Dr. Carroll attends California School of Law in pursuit of a J.D. degree.

Nancy M. Fitzgerald, D.M.D.   Assistant Professor: Dr. 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 Oral Sedation Dentistry, Comprehensive Orthodontics and Craniofacial Orthopedics, Epigenetic Orthodontics, Laser Dentistry, 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, and American Academy of Implant Dentistry.

Christine Halket, DDS, MS - Associate Professor:  Dr. Halket received her B.S. in Dental Hygiene in 1988, her D.D.S. in 1992 and her certificate in Advanced Education in General Dentistry in 1993, all from Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas.  She then moved to The Ohio State University College of Dentistry in Columbus, Ohio, where she received both her certificate in Periodontics and her M.S. in Oral Biology in 1996 and joined the OSU faculty, where she served as a Comprehensive Care Clinic Director and Vice Chair of the Section of Primary Care.  Dr. Halket's responsibilities at Midwestern University include teaching all aspects of dentistry, with a special focus on Periodontics and Lasers.  She teaches and trains the students and faculty at the Standard Proficiency Certification level on several laser wavelengths and is pursuing laser research. Her continuing education course in Standard Laser Proficiency is recognized by the Academy of Laser Dentistry. She is an active member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of Laser Dentistry, the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery, SPIE, the American Association of Women Dentists, the American Dental Education Association, and the International Association for Dental Research.  She is a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society and is the Faculty Advisor for the Student Chapter of the Academy of LDS Dentists.

COURSE FEE: $649 Dentists and Dental Hygienists   $349  Dental Assistants and Staff (Safety Certification) 

Registration Information:

There are three ways to register for our continuing education programs:

1. Online click here:      $649 Dentists and Dental Hygienists ( Register)     
   $349  Dental Assistants and Staff ( Register)
2. By mail:   if you want to pay by check, make it out to Midwestern University, print this form, fill it out, and mail it along with your payment to:
   Dr. James Pashayan , College of Dental Medicine-AZ Midwestern University,  Office of Continuing Dental Education,  19555 N 59 ^th Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85308
3. By email:  scan completed registration form and email to azdentalce@midwestern.edu, providing payment information. Please call 623-572-3870 if you have any questions about course content, directions, registration, etc.  (click to download registration form)
   
   Payment Methods: We accept checks, American Express, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, MasterCard and Visa. All checks should be made payable to:  Midwestern University.
   
   

Cancellations and Refunds: The Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Arizona Continuing Dental Education (MWUCDM-AZ CDE) office reserves the right to end registration when the enrollment limit is reached and to cancel, modify or alter content, faculty or location for any course if circumstances indicate such a change is advisable. If the MWUCDM-AZ CDE finds it necessary to cancel a course, a full refund will be issued. No travel expenses will be refunded to the registrant in the event of course cancellation or cancellation of any registration. Full tuition refunds are issued if the participant cancels in writing two weeks prior to a course. Cancellations processed during the two weeks prior to course date will be refunded tuition minus a late cancellation fee of $75.  No refunds will be issued for cancellations received seven days prior to the day of the course or in the event of a no-show. Select courses may have individually specific cancellation fees and polices. A $50 fee will be assessed for all returned payments. Returned payments include returned checks and dishonored credit or debit card payments.

ACCREDITATION:

Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine Arizona is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.

ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.  

Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Arizona designates this activity for 12 continuing education credits.  

Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at ADA.org/CERP.