I've been presenting pediatric continuing education courses for dental hygienists since 2007, and so far have spoken in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, and California, as well as Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Las Vegas.
Each of the courses below can be customized for one, two, or three hours, and can be combined for a full-day program.
I have sponsorship from GC America, American Eagle Instruments, Colgate, Crown Seating, adn Young Dental. Several other companies provide with samples for audiences. Please contact me for more detailed information.
Each of the courses below can be customized for one, two, or three hours, and can be combined for a full-day program.
I have sponsorship from GC America, American Eagle Instruments, Colgate, Crown Seating, adn Young Dental. Several other companies provide with samples for audiences. Please contact me for more detailed information.
© Cathy Seckman 2017
Kidspeak
Bridging the Communication Gap with Toddlers, Tweens, and Teens
Communicating with toddlers, children, and teen-agers can be like learning a new language. One must not only consider slang and word patterns, but culture, lifestyle, and nonverbal cues. Trust must be established, and psychosocial needs must be taken into account. For the cycle of communication to be complete, a message must be said, heard, responded to, and received. Successful communication can produce a perception of self-efficacy in a reluctant toddler, and it can change behaviors in a disinterested teen. Through an interactive team exercise, hygienists will be able to practice new strategies of communication. This is a three-hour course, but can be altered for any time slot, including an all-day program. The presentation includes Power Point slides, handouts, two interactive group exercises, and favors that have specific uses in pediatric dentistry.
Learning Objectives
To recognize the differences between adult and child communication
To appreciate the importance of nonverbal cues
To consider how culture and lifestyle affect communication with children
To become fluent in the languages of toddlers, children, and teenagers
To tailor oral health messages in age-, culture- and lifestyle-appropriate ways
Bridging the Communication Gap with Toddlers, Tweens, and Teens
Communicating with toddlers, children, and teen-agers can be like learning a new language. One must not only consider slang and word patterns, but culture, lifestyle, and nonverbal cues. Trust must be established, and psychosocial needs must be taken into account. For the cycle of communication to be complete, a message must be said, heard, responded to, and received. Successful communication can produce a perception of self-efficacy in a reluctant toddler, and it can change behaviors in a disinterested teen. Through an interactive team exercise, hygienists will be able to practice new strategies of communication. This is a three-hour course, but can be altered for any time slot, including an all-day program. The presentation includes Power Point slides, handouts, two interactive group exercises, and favors that have specific uses in pediatric dentistry.
Learning Objectives
To recognize the differences between adult and child communication
To appreciate the importance of nonverbal cues
To consider how culture and lifestyle affect communication with children
To become fluent in the languages of toddlers, children, and teenagers
To tailor oral health messages in age-, culture- and lifestyle-appropriate ways
Screamers, Whiners and Fussers
Providing the best for patients and parents
Having a fussy five-year-old in the schedule can be a nightmare experience for a dental hygienist. Instead of simply dreading it, hygienists who attend this program can learn to embrace the challenge, conquer their own insecurity, and make dental visits better for challenging children. The first section of the program is designed to give hygienists a workbox of management tools to use with difficult children and worried parents. The second section focuses on home care and in-office tips and techniques; and the final section on building lasting relationships with patients and families.
Learning objectives
To understand the reasons behind problem behaviors
To master techniques for defusing tantrums, calming fears, and encouraging good behavior
To know the latest facts on pediatric topics like thumbsucking, pacifier use, MI dentistry, fluoride varnish, and more
To empower parents for better oral health care at home
To learn to build continuing relationships with child patients and parents
** For references and resources related to this course, go here.
Providing the best for patients and parents
Having a fussy five-year-old in the schedule can be a nightmare experience for a dental hygienist. Instead of simply dreading it, hygienists who attend this program can learn to embrace the challenge, conquer their own insecurity, and make dental visits better for challenging children. The first section of the program is designed to give hygienists a workbox of management tools to use with difficult children and worried parents. The second section focuses on home care and in-office tips and techniques; and the final section on building lasting relationships with patients and families.
Learning objectives
To understand the reasons behind problem behaviors
To master techniques for defusing tantrums, calming fears, and encouraging good behavior
To know the latest facts on pediatric topics like thumbsucking, pacifier use, MI dentistry, fluoride varnish, and more
To empower parents for better oral health care at home
To learn to build continuing relationships with child patients and parents
** For references and resources related to this course, go here.
Gimme That Ding-Dong!
Tooth-friendly Nutrition for Families
Ding-Dongs for supper? It happens, and not just in families with low socioeconomic status. Parents who don’t know enough about nutrition can be college-educated homeowners who vacation in the Caribbean, but their pre-schoolers have 18 surfaces of decay. Part of our job as hygienists is helping parents and children understand how every aspect of diet, from timing to sugar content to food combinations, affects their oral health.
Learning objectives
To understand how nutrition directly and indirectly affects oral health in children and teens
To understand and apply pediatric nutritional principles
To empower parents in their nutritional choices by giving them practical strategies that work
To be able to affect positive change in family nutritional habits
Tooth-friendly Nutrition for Families
Ding-Dongs for supper? It happens, and not just in families with low socioeconomic status. Parents who don’t know enough about nutrition can be college-educated homeowners who vacation in the Caribbean, but their pre-schoolers have 18 surfaces of decay. Part of our job as hygienists is helping parents and children understand how every aspect of diet, from timing to sugar content to food combinations, affects their oral health.
Learning objectives
To understand how nutrition directly and indirectly affects oral health in children and teens
To understand and apply pediatric nutritional principles
To empower parents in their nutritional choices by giving them practical strategies that work
To be able to affect positive change in family nutritional habits
Paying to Play
Teen Risk Behavior and Lifelong Consequences
The only thing harder than raising a teen-ager is being a dental hygienist who must convince a teen-ager to care about oral health. From human papilloma virus to squamous cell carcinoma to diabetes to life-threatening infections, teens face more challenges related to their oral health than any previous generation. This course will provide hygienists with knowledge of the dangers of teen risk behavior; tools for dealing with oral consequences; strategies for good communication techniques; and increased sensitivity to the needs and emotions of teens.
Learning Objectives
Understand the risks teens face from drug and sexual experimentation; smoking and chewing; HPV exposure and its vaccine; obesity; sports and energy drinks; and piercings and splittings.
Link each risk behavior to oral health consequences
Be aware of the motivations for teens to engage in risk behaviors.
Use specific communication techniques to engage teens in a meaningful analysis of risk, leading to permanent behavior change.
** For references and resources related to this course, go here.
Teen Risk Behavior and Lifelong Consequences
The only thing harder than raising a teen-ager is being a dental hygienist who must convince a teen-ager to care about oral health. From human papilloma virus to squamous cell carcinoma to diabetes to life-threatening infections, teens face more challenges related to their oral health than any previous generation. This course will provide hygienists with knowledge of the dangers of teen risk behavior; tools for dealing with oral consequences; strategies for good communication techniques; and increased sensitivity to the needs and emotions of teens.
Learning Objectives
Understand the risks teens face from drug and sexual experimentation; smoking and chewing; HPV exposure and its vaccine; obesity; sports and energy drinks; and piercings and splittings.
Link each risk behavior to oral health consequences
Be aware of the motivations for teens to engage in risk behaviors.
Use specific communication techniques to engage teens in a meaningful analysis of risk, leading to permanent behavior change.
** For references and resources related to this course, go here.
Pre-natal
to Pre-School
Great Foundations for Pediatric Oral Health
Everyone who has had children or thought about having children is aware of the importance of parent and child health. It’s a big topic today. Because we’re hygienists, we also think about the smaller but no less important sub-topic: the dental health of parents and child during pregnancy and early childhood. How do the choices of mothers- and fathers-to-be influence their baby’s future dental health? How can you help the young families in your practice give their children the best possible start for lifelong oral health? This course will give you the tools
Learning objectives
Discover how pre-natal choices affect children’s oral health
Understand how lifelong oral health fits into early childhood development
Learn which dental treatments are vital - and which can be dangerous - for pregnant and lactating women.
See how the latest research and recommendations can become tools for educating pregnant and lactating women.
Apply this new knowledge to everyday practice for the benefit of parents and patients.
** For references and helpful contacts related to this course, go here.
Great Foundations for Pediatric Oral Health
Everyone who has had children or thought about having children is aware of the importance of parent and child health. It’s a big topic today. Because we’re hygienists, we also think about the smaller but no less important sub-topic: the dental health of parents and child during pregnancy and early childhood. How do the choices of mothers- and fathers-to-be influence their baby’s future dental health? How can you help the young families in your practice give their children the best possible start for lifelong oral health? This course will give you the tools
Learning objectives
Discover how pre-natal choices affect children’s oral health
Understand how lifelong oral health fits into early childhood development
Learn which dental treatments are vital - and which can be dangerous - for pregnant and lactating women.
See how the latest research and recommendations can become tools for educating pregnant and lactating women.
Apply this new knowledge to everyday practice for the benefit of parents and patients.
** For references and helpful contacts related to this course, go here.
No More Moaning and Groaning
Ergonomics and Exercise in the Operatory
Because of static positions and repetitive motions, coupled sometimes with poor posture and inadequate equipment, dental hygienists are right up at the top of the list for workplace injuries. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says repetitive strain injuries (RSI) are the most common and costly occupational health problem, affecting thousands every year, and costing more than $20 billion in workers’ compensation claims. Nearly two-thirds of reported injuries were caused by repeated trauma to the wrist, elbow, or shoulder.
The most common types of RSIs are carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, tendonitis, epicondylitis, ganglion cyst, tenosynovitis, trigger finger, writer’s cramp, Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome, tennis or golfer’s elbow.
This one- or two-hour course will describe RSIs for which hygienists are at risk, and offer strategies for preventing injury. We’ll take a look at every piece of equipment in the hygiene operatory, discussing methods of use, best practices, and the best equipment available. The course will include information on posture and exercise, plus a 15-minute stretching session that will be done sitting and standing.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this educational activity, participants will be able to:
Review the various types of repetitive strain injuries, their signs, symptoms, and treatment.
Discuss how the practice of dental hygiene puts practitioners at particular risk for RSIs.
Learn preventive measures to control RSI risk.
Discover the best equipment for postural health.
Use the knowledge to practice safely and more efficiently.
**For references and helpful contacts related to this course, go here.
Ergonomics and Exercise in the Operatory
Because of static positions and repetitive motions, coupled sometimes with poor posture and inadequate equipment, dental hygienists are right up at the top of the list for workplace injuries. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says repetitive strain injuries (RSI) are the most common and costly occupational health problem, affecting thousands every year, and costing more than $20 billion in workers’ compensation claims. Nearly two-thirds of reported injuries were caused by repeated trauma to the wrist, elbow, or shoulder.
The most common types of RSIs are carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, tendonitis, epicondylitis, ganglion cyst, tenosynovitis, trigger finger, writer’s cramp, Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome, tennis or golfer’s elbow.
This one- or two-hour course will describe RSIs for which hygienists are at risk, and offer strategies for preventing injury. We’ll take a look at every piece of equipment in the hygiene operatory, discussing methods of use, best practices, and the best equipment available. The course will include information on posture and exercise, plus a 15-minute stretching session that will be done sitting and standing.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this educational activity, participants will be able to:
Review the various types of repetitive strain injuries, their signs, symptoms, and treatment.
Discuss how the practice of dental hygiene puts practitioners at particular risk for RSIs.
Learn preventive measures to control RSI risk.
Discover the best equipment for postural health.
Use the knowledge to practice safely and more efficiently.
**For references and helpful contacts related to this course, go here.
Radiography for Kids: Getting Rid of Reluctance
Toddlers, tweens, and teens present special challenges when it comes to radiology. What are the guidelines? What do we need to know about parental guidance and permission? What’s the best way to handle fussy or reluctant or obstructive children? And even if the child is perfectly behaved, what can make it easier for a gagger? This mini-course will give participants information and tools needed for successful management of patient radiography needs.
Learning Objectives
Be aware of current professional standards for patient selection and limitation of radiation exposure
Provide parents with informed consent, and be able to address their concerns
Understand the legal responsibility of the dental office
Manage children and equipment to make radiographs comfortable and easy
**For references related to this course, go here.
Learning Objectives
Be aware of current professional standards for patient selection and limitation of radiation exposure
Provide parents with informed consent, and be able to address their concerns
Understand the legal responsibility of the dental office
Manage children and equipment to make radiographs comfortable and easy
**For references related to this course, go here.
Coming in 2015
Swabbing Spit
Salivary Diagnostics for Whole Body Wellness
