2026 VCDHA CE Events

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Course Titles:

“Are You a Slouch Potato? Elevate Your Ergonomics for Pain-Free Dental Practice.”

"From Cocktails to Cannabis, Pills and Vape: A Dental Dive into Substance Abuse.” 

with Stephanie Botts, BSDH, RDH, CEAS

4 CEU

Course Descriptions & Objectives:

*Ergonomics 

 The dental profession is at high risk for musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), with up to 96% of practitioners reporting pain due to clinical work habits. This is due to repetitive movements, bending, twisting, reaching, incorrect operator and patient positioning, and performing repetitive movements in a static posture.

Ergonomics is the science of fitting the working environment to the practitioner, instead of forcing one's body to acclimate to the environment. Practicing proper ergonomics can increase productivity, decrease pain, and lengthen one's career.  Allowing the individual to practice pain-free, ergonomics can increase the quality of one's life and work satisfaction. At the conclusion of this course, participants will learn ergonomic techniques, stretches and equipment choices to allow them to practice pain-free.

Course objectives:

*Identify unique cumulative stress and musculoskeletal disorders that affect dental professionals 

*Incorporate improved ergonomics and stretches into daily life

*Review patient and operator positioning to improve ergonomics and reduce pain

*Assess ergonomic equipment to maintain proper positioning

*Substance Abuse 

According to recent studies, about 1 in 12 adults in America have an active substance use disorder. In addition, about 30% of adults misuse substances without showing any outward signs of a disorder. Research indicates substances have a detrimental effect on one’s health, including oral health. The dental professional can play a vital role in supporting patients with substance use disorder. Oftentimes dental providers are the health care professionals spending the most one-on-one time with patients. Therefore, they are in a position to screen and advise patients on this issue. With the right skills and confidence, dental professionals can serve as the first line of defense against risky substance use.

After this course attendees will be able to: 

*Understand substance use disorder as a treatable medical condition

*Understand opioid use disorder and alternative therapies to control pain

*Identify how a substance use disorder progresses

*Recognize the physical and psychological changes consistent with substance use disorder

*Communicate effectively with patients and team members about substance use disorder

Bio: Stephanie Botts, RDH, BSDH, CEAS has been a clinical dental hygienist for over 18 years. She is a Certified Ergonomics Assessment Specialist providing both in-office and virtual ergonomics consulting and coaching to dental professionals. She also provides CE to dental and dental hygiene associations on the topic of ergonomics. Her experience as a clinical dental hygienist and ergonomics expert has allowed her to recognize the unique challenges of practicing pain-free in the dental setting. Stephanie believes that by learning effective strategies to optimize proper ergonomics both inside and outside the operatory, dental professionals can practice pain-free and ensure career longevity.

Sponsors: PDS Health, Premier, Crest + Oral B, Guru Nanda,  Xlear Spry, ReLeaf, Elevate ORAL CARE, Nordent, SurgiTel, WaterPik.

Course Title:

A Chairside Workflow for Oral Hygiene Instruction

with Heather Wong, MSDH, RDH

2 CEU

Sponsor: TePe Oral Health Care, PDS Health, Nordent.

Course Title: 

I Screen, You Screen, We All Screen: No One Has Ever Done That Before!" 

with Susan Cotten, BSDH, RDH, OMT

4 CEU

Sponsors: PDS Health, Q-Optics, Elevate ORAL CARE, Pac-Dent, BioGaia, Curadent Curaprox, Crown Seating, Guru Nanda, Xlear  Spry, ReLeaf, Alohabrite, LumaDent. Ultradent, Nordent, Paradise Dental Technologies, Nimbus. 

Crown Seating Door Prize! (color may vary)

Course Titles: 

CA Mandatory CE Infection Control and 

CA Dental Practice Act 

with Nancy Dewhirst, BS, RDH

4 CEU 

Sponsors: VCDHA, PDS Health.