Yankee Study Club

In the context of the AAP/EAP updated system of diagnosis and classification of periodontal disease, this course is designed to enhance the collaborative approach between dental hygienists and dentists in patient care. This involves a mutual effort in identifying clinical and radiographic findings to determine the patient’s periodontal status and prognosis.

Utilizing clinical case studies, this course focuses on the shared responsibility of reviewing medical history, examining clinical and radiographic findings and interpreting the information. In addition, efforts to determine the patient’s level of compliance and possibly increase their compliance through motivational interviewing will be discussed. This approach will help formulate an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan. The goal is to promote an efficient team-based approach in periodontal diagnosis and patient care. This process ensures that both the dentist and dental hygienist contribute to the objective of obtaining positive patient outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the importance of a collaborative approach in diagnosing periodontal conditions
• Identify clinical and radiographic findings such as percent and contour of bone loss to stage the disease
• Discover how the medical status, age and rate of bone loss progression impacts the grading
• Implement diagnosis and classification of periodontal diseases according to the current classification system
• Utilize improved communication emphasizing mutual respect and shared responsibility in treatment
• Develop evidence-based treatment plans that reflect both the dentist’s and hygienist’s role in periodontal care

Eliminating or reducing your PPOs could possibly be the most important decision you’ll make in your career. There are no shortcuts and the only way to do this successfully is to do it the right way. Join us for this valuable lecture in which Kirk Behrendt walks you through the roadmap of how to do it carefully and predictability.

Learning Objectives:

• Distinguish the mindset needed when making this strategic decision
• Examine the data you must collect to learn your business strengths and weaknesses
• Learn the foundational and operational steps that need to be in place for the process to work
• Discover what research is required to fully understand your own unique insurance exposure
• Utilize the action steps to reduce some or all your insurance dependence

The past decade has given us a wealth of new and exciting materials and techniques. Is this good or bad news? A skeptical dentist (also known as an evidence-based decision maker) might say we’re moving too fast and that many new materials aren’t really ready for prime time. A cutting-edge dentist might say that traditional materials have no place in a progressive 2025 practice. Who’s right? This course will take a hard look at the comparison of new and old technologies. It will address questions like: Is composite the perfect replacement for amalgam? What is the best matrix and placement technique? What about bulk-fill materials? Why should we practice minimally invasive dentistry? What about extension for prevention? Which generation of bonding agents should we use?

Learning Objectives:

• Appreciate the value of healthy skepticism when deciding to use a new material
• Understand the importance of “durability” and being a life-time treatment planner
• Apply concepts of minimally invasive dentistry and understand what it really means
• Choose restorative materials based on three things: scientific evidence, anecdotal experience and common sense
• Make logical decisions that are based on a balance between skepticism and risk-taking