Occlusion for Hygienists & Dental Assistants

Saturday Morning, January 9, 2010 with Alberto J. Ambard, DDS, MS

Occlusion remains as the most confusing and controversial subject in dentistry. For the dentist, confusion starts early in dental school where instructors pass their own dogmas to the students. Their understanding is narrowed further when attending commercial institutes limited to one particular philosophy.  For the hygienist and especially the dental assistants, there is very little academic training on occlusion. Thus, most of their learning comes from daily clinical procedures. This practical "training" is guided by the dentist's understanding of occlusion and his/her own dogmas.  In the era of evidence-based dentistry it is necessary to approach occlusion from a scientific and not from a dogmatic perspective, yet, quality data to support any particular philosophy is lacking.

This course promises an open-minded look at occlusion and how occlusion affects the oral status of the patient.   With basic and informative material, the course provides the tools that help hygienists and assistants in the clinical setting.   Attendees' participation is encouraged.  The following topics will be covered.

•  What is occlusion?
•  Principles of occlusion - what a hygienist and a dental assistant should know
•  Different occlusal schools and philosophies
•  The potential clinical consequences of malocclusion
•  Occlusion - periodontum, is there a link?
•  Occlusion clinical tips for the dental assistant
•  Communicating occlusion to the patient

At the end of this course, the participant will:
•  Have a much better understanding of occlusion and its clinical implications
•  Understand the different occlusal schools - their pros and cons
•  Have tools to improve clinical practice

Speaker:  Alberto Ambard, DDS, MS maintains a practice limited to prosthodontics in Beaverton, OR. He completed his dental school in Caracas, Venezuela and his prosthodontic residency at The University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2001, where he also obtained a Master's degree. He also completed a maxillofacial prosthetics fellowship at The University of Chicago Hospitals in 2002. He has published and lectured in the subjects of occlusion, implants and bulimia.

When    :  Saturday, January 9, 2010
Course    :  #DHOC010910
Time    :  9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Early Tuition Fees:  Until 12/20/09 - $75 per staff  & $110 per dentist
Tuition    :  After 12/20/09  - $90 per staff & $125 per dentist
Credit    :  3 hours
Location:  OHSU School of Dentistry