The First Cavity: Why it Matters more than you Think - presented by Trisha O’Hehir
(3 hours - 3CEU)
On September 12, 2026 Trisha will be joined with special guest speaker Lancette VanGuilder
Eye spy with my little eye Exploring the eye – mouth connection
presented by Lancette VanGuilder, BS, RDH, PHEDH, CEAS, FADHA
(2 hours - 2 CEU)
5 CEU Live Interactive for $75!
The First Cavity: Why it Matters more than you Think
presented by Trisha O’Hehir
This course equips dental hygienists to prevent the very first cavity by intervening before disease begins—starting with the reduction of vertical transmission of Streptococcus mutans from mother to child. Participants will examine how lowering maternal S. mutans levels through routine xylitol gum use can significantly reduce bacterial transmission to infants during the earliest window of colonization. The course then expands to pediatric prevention, exploring how frequent sugar exposure fuels pathogenic bacteria and contributes to early childhood caries, systemic diseases, mouth breathing, malocclusion, bad breath, and recurrent ear infections. Emphasis is placed on two high-impact, evidence-based strategies: reducing dietary sugar frequency and strategically introducing xylitol to disrupt S. mutans and support a healthier oral microbiome. Practical chairside messaging and behavior-change strategies will empower hygienists to guide expectant parents and caregivers toward simple, sustainable actions that protect oral and airway health during critical stages of development.
Learning Objectives:
At the completion of this course, the participant will be able to:
Explain the process of vertical transmission of Streptococcus mutans from caregiver to child and its role in the development of early childhood caries.
Describe how maternal xylitol gum use reduces S. mutans levels and lowers the risk of bacterial transmission to infants.
Identify the connections between sugar exposure, pathogenic oral bacteria, and childhood conditions including caries, halitosis, mouth breathing, malocclusion, and ear infections.
Apply effective, parent-centered communication strategies to support maternal xylitol use, sugar reduction, and age-appropriate xylitol introduction as practical preventive interventions.
Eye spy with my little eye Exploring the eye – mouth connection
presented by Lancette VanGuilder, BS, RDH, PHEDH, CEAS, FADHA
Course Description:
Emerging evidence continues to reveal remarkable connections between oral health and ocular health. Chronic inflammation, oral pathogens, immune dysfunction, and systemic diseases can influence both the mouth and the eyes, often providing early clues to underlying health conditions. Join us as we explore the fascinating relationship between oral and eye diseases, examine the role of inflammation and the oral microbiome, and discuss how collaborative healthcare can improve early detection, prevention, and whole-body wellness. Discover how the oral cavity and the eyes together can provide a powerful window into a patient's overall health.
Learning Objectives:
Explain how instrument design characteristics, including handle diameter, texture, weight, blade geometry, and shank design, influence clinician biomechanics and scaling efficiency.
Identify the biomechanical factors that contribute to excessive pinch force, hand fatigue, and musculoskeletal strain during periodontal instrumentation.
Apply evidence-based principles of fulcrum selection, adaptation, patient positioning, and operator positioning to improve scaling precision and reduce physical workload.
Evaluate instrumentation strategies, including hand and powered instrumentation, that support effective biofilm and calculus removal while minimizing clinician fatigue.
