Winter 2018 Issue
In this issue: Hello from Jeanette | Seidner Research Grant | Canadian Laser Dental Institute | Regulatory Concerns | Column of Illumination | 2018 Award Nominees | ALD 2018 Conference Highlights Paradigm Shift Toward Total Health & Wellness|
CONTEST! ALD Signature Cocktail | Quick Poll
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COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR
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Jeanette K. Miranda, RDH, BSDH
Co-Chair, Communications Committee
Chair, Auxiliary Committee
Welcome back! I encourage each of you to browse through this fresh edition of Lightwaves. ALD has many exciting things happening. Check out the newly released Annual Conference program schedule.
The award recipients are announced by chairperson Dr. Mel Burchman. His video submission is also featured for the ALD 25
th Anniversary Signature Drink Contest. His entry may just be the one to beat!!
We have highlighted one of the speakers of our conference, Dr. Diana Batoon on her topic of pediatric airway obstruction. Heather Angers, RDH is featured in Member Spotlight. Dr. Gerry Ross answers a question submitted on Facebook in the Column of Illumination. The International column showcases the Canadian Dental Laser Institute with an article by Dr. Marina Polonsky.
Be sure to listen to the podcast on regulatory concerns regarding laser use. And don’t forget to participate in this edition’s Quick Poll. The results are posted on Facebook. Please contact us if you want to contribute an article in future issues of Lightwaves. We look forward to seeing you in Orlando, Florida!
Scroll down and read on!
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FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ALD Launches the Eugene M. Seidner Research Grants
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Gail Siminovsky, CAE
ALD Executive Director
ALD recently launched the Dr. Eugene M. Seidner Research Grant Program and applications are being accepted through March 31, 2018. The Research Grant was founded to promote the advancement of dental laser technology education and clinical research. Up to three grant awards totaling $20,000.00 may be awarded annually to individuals to promote basic and applied clinical research for the use of lasers in dentistry. The inaugural Grant recipients will be recognized during the ALD’s 25th Anniversary Conference & Exhibition, April 26-28th at the Caribe Royale Orlando, Florida.
Learn more about the program and apply
here.
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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Canadian Dental Laser Institute
Dr. Marina Polonsky
Restorative,WCLI Certifications, ALD Certifications
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In March of 2017, the Canadian Dental Laser Institute (CDLI) marked its official opening. Operating primarily as a study club, our mission is to provide quality continuing education credits in dental laser technology and to also promote its integration into clinical practice for dentists, hygienists, and other dental team members. Affiliated with the Academy of Laser Dentistry, we are recognized by AGD/PACE as a certified continuing education provider in dentistry.
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ALD AND THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF DENTAL BOARDS PODCAST
Regulatory Concerns Regarding Laser Use
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The Academy of Laser Dentistry and the American Association of Dental Boards presented a podcast addressing questions about regulatory concerns regarding laser use on July 21, 2017. The podcast provided an introduction to lasers in the dental office for regulators by Angie Wallace, RDH (Tulsa, OK), Dr. Keith Brewster (Dallas, TX), co-Chairs of ALD's Regulatory Affairs Committee and Ms. Gail Siminovsky, ALD's Executive Director. The program examines the use of lasers in dental practice, including the basics of laser technology, appropriate procedures, specialized training, certification, regulatory challenges, and current state approaches to laser use and regulation. The podcast is geared to the regulatory community.
Read on and listen to the podcast
here.
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Column
of Illumination
Our team of qualified laser geeks are here to answer questions you have related to dental lasers. The answer to this edition’s question is provided by
Dr. Gerry Ross,
ALD Membership Chair and 2019 General and Scientific Chairman
I'm a beginner in the field of dental laser with respect to gingivectomy. Which is better: to cut under continuous wave or interrupted? What is the maximum intensity I can apply using the diode laser?
I my courses, I advise new users to use a pulsed mode as there is less heat buildup so it is more forgiving for a new user. If it is a gated pulsed laser I select a 50% pulsed mode.
When selecting a power, the rule is that too little is much better than too much. The diode wavelength has a high affinity for Hemoglobin (red) and Melanin (brown). The more inflamed the tissue, the higher the absorption of the laser energy, indicating that less power is required for the procedure. I use a range of 0.8W (1.6W pulsed) to 2.5W (5W pulsed).
The other key point in the gingivectomy procedure is keeping it just brushing the tissue lightly to allow the laser energy do the cutting.
Join us at the
ALD 2018 Annual Conference to participate in hands-on workshops and test different lasers in the exhibit hall. You will also meet other professionals who are passionate about laser use in dentistry! Also check the
ALD CE Calendar for workshops near you.
Have a burning question? Submit it to
academyoflaserdentistry@gmail.com
and look for the answer in an upcoming issue of
Lightwaves
. Due to space limitations, we may not be able to answer all of the questions here, but we will post the question and answer on the ALD
Facebook
page. #aldask
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ALD ANNOUNCES 2018 AWARD HONOREES
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By Mel Burchman, DDS
Awards Chairman
Leading ALD’s Awards Committee as Chairman this year is an honor and privilege. What a wonderful committee to lead! There were several excellent candidates that made our selection rather difficult and once you see our 2018 honorees, you will understand.
2018 is a special year for Awards. The committee decided to recognize the important contributions by both dentists and hygienists to the history, education and daily clinical practice of laser dentistry with the Leon Goldman Award for Clinical Excellence. In recognition of the
Academy's 25th Anniversary Conference we have two award honorees for clinical excellence.
Meet the award recipients
here.
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ALD 2018 ORLANDO CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
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ALD 2018 Program Schedule
Now Available for Download
Get your copy of the
program schedule and start planning the sessions you want to attend. The online program planner will be available later this month where you'll be able to see program details and start building your itinerary.
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Featured Keynote Presenter
Markolf H. Niemz, Bestselling Author
Markolf H. Niemz is professor of Biomedical Engineering at Heildelberg University in Germany. He is also a best-selling author of
Laser Tissue Interactions: Fundamentals and Applications
, which serves as the textbook and reference guide at various universities worldwide. He has authored numerous studies on laser-tissue interactions in dentistry, ophthalmology and orthopedics.
His two-part presentation
Small Steps for Photons, One Giant Leap for Dentistry - 25 Years of Laser-Tissue Interactions
will take place on Thursday. Dr. Niemz will also serve on the Diode Lasers Panel Discussion,
Straight Talk on Diode Lasers: Scientific and Practical Rationale for Clinical Dentistry
on Friday afternoon. See below for more information.
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Diode Lasers Discussion Panel
Moderated by Georgios E. Romanos, DDS, PhD
Friday, April 27, 2018
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Straight Talk on Diode Lasers: Scientific and Practical Rationale for Clinical Dentistry. A Panel Session
Different diode lasers have been used extensively in clinical dental fields and many clinicians ask for scientific evidence. The panel will demonstrate the efficacy of diode lasers, strengths and weaknesses of the different wavelengths, and the best options for improving therapeutic protocols in the daily practice. The format will be a Q & A discussion.
Panelists
:
Gregory Altshuler
, PhD;
Dmitri Boutoussov
, PhD;
Andreas Moritz
, MD, DMD;
Markolf Niemz
, PhD
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Donate an Item for the Silent Auction
Benefits Students & Research
ALD seeks donations of products or services for the Dr. Eugene Seidner Scholarship and Grant Program Silent Auction. ALL DONATIONS WELCOME! It’s an easy way to help ALD raise funds to support these programs.
Items that have been donated in the past have included
lasers, books, jewelry, laser safety eyewear, and vacation home rentals,
to name a few.
Why donate?
The Silent Auction benefits the Dr. Eugene Seidner Scholarship and Grant Programs, which encourages undergraduate and graduate dental students to broaden their understanding of lasers in dentistry, and provides financial award to enable students to present their work at the Academy’s annual meetings. By encouraging dental laser research projects, the new Research Grants program is intended to strengthen the Academy of Laser Dentistry’s role in fostering a positive impact on dental laser education and research. Like you, we believe the evolution of dental technology and the proper use of that technology will positively impact patient care.
Donate Now - It’s Easy!
- Complete the online form. All we need is a complete description of item, contact information, an image of the item, and suggested value to get the bidding started.
- Send your item to the Academy of Laser Dentistry, Attn: Margaret Angarola, 9900 West Sample Road, Suite 400, Coral Springs, FL 33065.
Items must be received at the ALD office by
April 10, 2018
.
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PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
Orlando Speaker, Dr. Diana Batoon on the Paradigm Shift Toward Total Health and Wellness
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By Diana Batoon, DMD
Bonita Dental, Scottsdale, AZ
What’s different about dentistry nowadays? Besides the advancement of technology, the concepts of total dental health and how it is closely associated with our medical health is becoming very apparent. There is a paradigm shift in dentistry to call for action upon dental professionals. In today’s society, there is an increasing number of children where airway plays a significant role. Their airway is directly affecting their growth and development. In addition, this direct relationship affects their craniofacial growth, behavior, cognitive development and sleep cycle. Medical research supports the data that sleep apnea occurs in 1-3% of children. Even though this percentage is small, mouth-breathing can cause sleep related breathing disorders (SRBD) and is more common than we think. As Dentists, we should feel empowered to identify dental related conditions that are contributing to a restricted airway.A vaulted palate, crossbite, narrow arches or improper jaw relationships are all signs of an affected airway.
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Featuring Heather Angers, RDH
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Heather Angers is a laser hygienist from Colorado. She joined ALD in 2009 and is stepping onto the Board of Directors as Auxiliary Chair this April. Heather was recently tapped to join the test writing committee and she will be a speaker during the Hygiene Track at the ALD 2018 Annual Conference. Let’s learn more about Heather.
How long have you been practicing? Almost 9 years, since 2009.
Where do you practice? Lakewood Colorado.
How long have you been using the laser? Since I started practicing in 2009.
What has the use of lasers meant to you and the patients you treat? I have actually been in dentistry for almost 20 years. In that time prior to becoming a hygienist, I noticed many patients would have to repeat periodontal therapy. Since the introduction of the laser into daily patient care I have noticed less need to repeat periodontal therapy. Since becoming a hygienist I have witnessed this first hand. I feel strongly that the patients I treat are receiving the very best care at the highest level.
Get to know more about Heather
here.
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CONTEST DEADLINE EXTEND TO MARCH 31!
Create the ALD 25th Anniversary Signature Cocktail
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Dr. Burchman submitted his entry for the ALD 25th Anniversary Signature Cocktail contest. It includes his two favorite food groups: alcohol and chocolate. Check out the video now. Remember to submit your entry by March 31!
Good luck!
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Check the ALD
Facebook page for poll results. #aldpoll
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Are lasers used in the hygiene department of your office?
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The
Academy of Laser Dentistry believes patients and practitioners deserve the benefits of tomorrow's dentistry today. We have been helping dentists improve results and reduce discomfort in dentistry with laser technology for over two decades.
The ALD is an international professional membership association of dental practitioners and supporting organizations dedicated to helping dentists grow their practice and improve the health and well-being of patients through the proper use of laser technology.
- Not yet an ALD member? Learn more about the benefits of membership.
- Already an ALD member? Make the most of your membership today.
Contact us:
Phone: 954-346-3776
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