Ryan Rutar, RDH, MAM 
Session 4 - Elevating Hygiene
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Building and maintaining a successful dental practice requires a cohesive and motivated team that not only understands their individual roles but also works synergistically to deliver exceptional patient care. This comprehensive course is designed to empower dental professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to foster team motivation, understand the scope of practice, and effectively manage a dental hygiene team. Participants will gain insights into the intricacies of teamwork, the evolving role of dental hygienists, and the strategies needed to lead and support a dynamic dental hygiene team.
Upon completion of this course, participants will:
- Recognize collaborative interdisciplinary opportunities for optical patient outcomes
- Identify pathways for skill enhancement and career development
- Apply techniques to maximize dental hygiene performance
Session 8 - Fluoride: Friend, Foe, or Just Misunderstood
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
This engaging lecture will explore science, controversy, and public perception surrounding fluoride. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how fluoride functions chemically to prevent dental caries and support remineralization. The session will dispel common myths and equip dental professionals with evidence-based responses to fluoride skepticism. Participants will compare various fluoride delivery methods—topical and systemic—and examine their effectiveness in different populations. In addition, alternative remineralization strategies will be discussed, giving clinicians a broader toolkit for personalized prevention. With all the online misinformation and growing distrust in public health, this topic is something we as oral health care professionals need to be prepared to handle.
Upon completion of this course, participants will:
- Define the history and role of fluoride in caries prevention, chemistry, mechanism, and interaction with teeth
- Compare various fluoride delivery methods and their effectiveness
- Identify common myths and misconceptions about fluoride
- Recognize other effective remineralization methods and how they can help
