The document outlines a case-based dental hygiene course that emphasizes the importance of updating education and practices to better serve patients. It covers various topics including caries management, periodontal diseases, risk assessment, and effective communication, aiming to improve daily clinical excellence. Participants will develop new skills and approaches to enhance patient care, particularly for vulnerable populations such as oncology patients and dependent adults.

1. Curriculum Killing the Parrot: Living What You Know
Today it’s becoming increasinglyevident the information learned in our dental hygiene education was
more important than we thought to put into actual practice. Patient after patient, our chart notes
and care are pretty much the same: Brush and floss, brush and floss, brush and floss. Old
routines no longer serve the patients or the practice bottom line. This case-based course weaves its way
through caries management, periodontal disease manifestations, coding effectively, new diagnostics
and treatment options, and many other aspects of clinical practice to reconstitute clinician’s education
into relevant, productive and exhilarating day-to-day excellence.
After taking this course, participants will be able to
Identify red flags from the patient health history and select appropriate risk assessment and diagnostic
modalities
Explain the different types of periodontal and caries infections
Select new language to accurately communicate dental risk, diagnosis and treatment
Define new approach to helping oncology patients
Distinguish the stages of dependence for multiple populations
Redefine the 60 (or 30, 40, 45)minutes patient appointment time
Contents
Lesson 1: Introduction and Creating a Portfolio 2
Lesson 2: KTP Insurance Coding Made Simple 2
Lesson 3: Risk Assessment Realities 3
Lesson 4: Spit Is It and Other Diagnostics 3
Lesson 5: Treating Caries Infections 4
Lesson 6: Words Make a Difference 4
Lesson 7: Quality of Life Management for Dependent Adults 4
Lesson 8: New Reality for Cancer Patients 5
Lesson 9: More than Pocket Change 5
Lesson 10: Writing Proposals 6
Lesson 11: Capstone-TBD 6

2. Lesson 1: Introduction and Creating a Portfolio
This introductorycourse to KTP certificationbegins with learning the basics of creating a professional
portfolio. A professional portfolio is a tool judiciously and carefully crafted to appropriately showcase
work of a professional while providing evidence of career growth in a cohesive manner. It shows an
individual is worthy of special notice and gives an opportunity to view materials beyond a standard
application or resume. An individual’s portfolio design can showcase strengths and abilities in a way that
is both professional and uniquely their own.
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, the participant will
List the expectations of this program including
curriculum
discussion group participation
quizzes
projects
Describe the fundamentals of creating a portfolio
Select a goal for their professional portfolio
Design first portion of their portfolio
Lesson 2: KTP Insurance Coding Made Simple
Description: We are moving beyond the drill into the threshold of a golden age of molecular diagnosis
and biotech-therapy. Your practice might not be embracing this brave new world but the insurance
industry will take us there whether we want to go or not. The heart of dental hygiene is prevention and
its value is shown by the evidence. The alliance between evidence-based (EB) decision making and the
insurance industry is already being established.
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, the participant will
Identify the basic principles of evidence-based decision making
Match correctly the CDT evaluation, dental hygiene and periodontal codes to care provided
Identify do’s and don’ts related to codes D1110, D4910 and D4355
Compose medical necessity narratives routinely
Reconstruct previous case study demonstrate appropriate coding and narrative development

3. Lesson 3: Risk Assessment Realities
Description: Current examination standards record past and current disease activity and might include a
fuzzy assessment of risk. Risk assessment adds a another dimension to an understanding of
patient needs, and ways to differentiate between patients with the same current
health/disease state, but who are at varying potentials that this state will deteriorate.
Innovative easy risk assessment tools will be introducedto create a quantifiable process for improved
decision making, treatment and prevention.
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, the participant will
Identify red flags from patient health history
Interpret risk factors from patient prescription/OTC medication list
Appraise results of ADA paper-based risk assessment tool
Compare the variety of online electronic risk assessment systems
Reconstruct previous case study identify red flags, medication connections, and risk assessment
integration
Lesson 4: Spit Is It and Other Diagnostics
Description: As the role of the dental health professional continues to evolve, a unique opportunity
exists for dental hygienists to become leaders in the emerging field of oral–based diagnostics. The key to
both prevention and therapy is diagnostics.
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, the participant will
Select appropriate saliva based risk assessment modality
Match laboratory tests with patient risk profile
Reconstruct decision making process on dental radiographs
Contrast variety of oral cancer screening systems
Defines the purpose and use of oral fluorescent technologies
Reconstruct previous case study select appropriate diagnostics

4. Lesson 5: Treating Caries Infections
Description: Like any other infection caries can be treated with topical applications or with surgery.
Traditionally we’ve been treating caries as if it was a hole in a tooth, and that’s what dentistry has been
focusing on. In dental hygiene we’ve been just following along. It’s time for us to take charge of the
situation. By identifying the cause of the cavity - overwhelming bacterial infection, poor quality saliva,
medications or something else – we can help our patients regain control over their infection.
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, the participant will
Explain the different types of caries infections
Develop a working protocol of caries management that fits with the practice philosophy
Create a case study on treatment of one type of caries infections to add to the Master Portfolio.
Lesson 6: Words Make a Difference
Description: Communication is an ongoing, changing, and dynamic process of sharing information
between a sender and a receiver using a set of common rules. The word watch used in many dental
offices is now considered obsolete per the2010 Dental Clinics of North America textbook. It is time for
dentistry to change its rules for communication and its language to convey up-to-date evidence based
findings.
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, the participant will
Explain the purpose and goal of professional communication
Describe what is meant by effective and ineffective communication
Select new language to accurately communicate dental risk, diagnosis and treatment
Create a case study with treatment planning using new language
Lesson 7: Quality of Life Management for Dependent Adults
Description: As people lose their independence because of illness or injury, certain aspects of daily living
must be delegated and taken over by another person or team of people. None of those people are
trained in oral care the way a dental hygienist is. Dental hygienists education on the management the
oral health in dependent adults is cursory. Brushing and flossing lessons or teaching use of an
interdental brush is NOT the answer. Learn what is.
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, the participant will
Define the stages of dependence
Describe the legal definition of neglect
Develop protocols for three types of dependent adult situations

5. Lesson 8: New Reality for Cancer Patients
Description: Cancer treatments have taken a major turn since 2003. No longer is the patient’s life quality
relegated to the back of the room in favor of life saving treatments. On one hand people are living
longer and recovering from cancer, on the other the types of medications used to treat cancer are very
deadly.
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, the participant will
Explain the best way to approach an oncologist and/or his/her team
Be able to read lab reports
Develop tools to communicate with the oncology team
Create a case study on different management plan for oncology patient
Lesson 9: More than Pocket Change
Description: Despite the best efforts of dental health care professionals, oral infections are still
widespread. It’s hard to believe that periodontal infections can create so much trouble in the body.
Various components of the oral biofilm affect the immune system through a variety of ways with a
resulting systemic inflammatory response. Treatment of the biofilm is an integral aspect to decrease the
immune system responses, along with decreasing the host systemic inflammation.
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, the participant will
Discuss the biology of biofilms
List the host’s mechanisms for challenging biofilm infections and describe strategies for creating
a healthy biofilm
Reconstruct their view of periodontal disease as wound care
Design new protocol for periodontal management for your practice

6. Lesson 10: Writing Proposals
Description: Providing your superior with a meaningful document that outlines your vision for the future
can quickly move you on your way to an increased level of respect, job security, and financial benefits.
Writing a proposal can elevate your personal level of job satisfaction and self-esteem. This module will
show you how to build a proposal for creating change in your own employment environment.
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, the participant will
Explain how to find out who the decision maker is for the idea
Chart the fiscal impact of the idea
Decide on how to present the proposal, manage the feedback and redesignas necessary
Write a proposal to sell this program curriculum to a dentist
Lesson 11: Capstone-TBD
Live and in person this Capstone to the course will be held in the Chicagoland area in September or
October. We’ve arranged for different companies to attend and show you products, how to use high end
technology and get to meet your class mates. Not a party, not a classroom, more like a classty! Or would
it be a parroom? Either way you’ll learn and show the most important work you’ve done up to then.
You’re not alone!