Prediabetes and Obesity

Making Oral Health Connections to Improve Health Outcomes

In this country, we are challenged by chronic diseases. Diabetes is a serious disease that affects every major organ of the body. Unfortunately, diabetes affects over 37 million people. Amazingly, 96 million Americans have prediabetes and 8 in 10 people don’t know they have it! Equally serious, obesity prevalence has risen to over 40% in adults and affects almost 15 million children and adolescents. Diabetes and obesity are connected. In this presentation, Dr. JoAnn Gurenlian of the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) reviews these two health conditions and their connections to oral health care.

Upon completion of the presentation on Prediabetes and Obesity, participants will be able to:

  • 1. Identify the prevalence of prediabetes and obesity in the U.S.

  • 2. Describe risk factors of prediabetes.

  • 3. Examine the health consequences of prediabetes and obesity.

  • 4. Utilize prevention strategies for addressing the challenges related to prediabetes and obesity.

  • 5. Incorporate assessment and treatment protocols to provide person-centered care for individuals with prediabetes and obesity.

Dental Sealants in the World of COVID-19

COVID-19 has introduced a number of challenges for dental clinics across the country. From clinic closures to limitations in services, it is more important than ever to prioritize prevention for vulnerable patients. Even with COVID-19, dental sealants can still be applied safely while limiting the amount of aerosols. Dental sealants are effective in preventing dental caries and should be a normal part of dental practice. Candace Owen, of the National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA) shares strategies to apply sealants during COVID-19; describes methods to help improve sealant rates; and shares the evidence behind dental sealants.

Upon completion of the presentation on Dental Sealants in the World of COVID-19, participants will be able to:

  • 1. Describe the evidence-base for dental sealants.

  • 2. Discuss strategies for placing sealants during COVID-19.

  • 3. Share how dental clinics can implement methods to improve sealant rates.

Instructors

Instructor Candace Owen

Candace Owen is the Education Director for the National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA). She is a registered dental hygienist and has a Master in Public Health and a Master in Dental Hygiene. Candace’s experience includes clinical dental hygiene and serving as dental public health faculty at the University of New Mexico. Her interests include interprofessional education and working with underserved populations. With NNOHA, Candace develops educational resources for health care providers working safety net settings including webinars, in-person training and technical assistance, learning collaboratives, and various publications. She has provided training and technical assistance on dental sealants for the last 5 years. Outside of NNOHA, Candace is a dental hygienist for a portable dental program in Denver and is a member of the Special Olympics Colorado Young Professional Board.

Instructor JoAnn Gurenlian

JoAnn Gurenlian is the Director of Education and Research for the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA). Prior to joining the ADHA, Dr. Gurenlian served as Professor and Graduate Program Director for the Department of Dental Hygiene at Idaho State University (ISU), and is presently Professor Emerita at ISU. She is an Affiliate Fellow in the American Academy of Oral Medicine, and Past President of the International Federation of Dental Hygienists and the ADHA. Dr. Gurenlian is the co-author of the textbook “Preventing Medical Emergencies” and author of over 300 publications in dental hygiene, dental and medical journals. She has conducted over 600 presentations at regional, national, and international events. Dr. Gurenlian has served as Chair of the ADHA Task Force on Return to Work from April 2020 through July 2021. She served as Chair of the Advisory Committee on the Future of Dental Hygiene and co-authored the report “Dental Hygiene: Focus on Advancing the Profession”. She also served as Chair of the Pharmacy, Podiatry, Optometry, and Dental Professionals Workgroup (PPOD) of the National Diabetes Education Program, and more recently was a member of the ADA Expert Panel for the evaluation of potential malignant disorders of the oral cavity. Dr. Gurenlian is the recipient of numerous awards including the IADR Oral Health Research Group 25th Oral Health Research Award, ADHA Presidential Citation, Esther Wilkins Lifetime Achievement Award, Alfred C. Fones Award, Irene Newman Award, ADHA/Warner Lambert Award for Excellence, and the ADHA Distinguished Service Award.

ADHA-Accredited Course

A CEU is a measure used in continuing education programs to quantify the time spent during professional development activities. This course is accredited by the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) for 2 CEUs. The American Dental Hygienists' Association is designated as an approved provider by the American Academy of Dental Hygiene, Inc. #AADHADH (Jan. 1, 2022– Dec. 31, 2022). 

To earn CEUs, you will need to 1) participate in the live webinar on August 24, 2022, 2) complete all required course activities, and 3) complete the course evaluation survey. A certificate of completion and CE credits will be made available on the Student Dashboard upon receipt of evaluation survey responses

Course agenda is available for download HERE.

Pricing