Certification

General Information

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Lasers are an exciting technology in dentistry with tremendous benefit to patients and the dental profession. The Academy of Laser Dentistry is an independent, professional organization devoted to the advancement of laser dentistry and serves the dental community by objectively providing education in all laser wavelengths. The Academy of Laser Dentistry's membership includes clinicians, educators, researchers and industry representatives in laser dentistry from around the world.

A main objective of the Academy of Laser Dentistry is to develop and uphold educational and clinical standards for the use of lasers in dentistry and to promote the safe and effective laser use on patients. Successful completion of the certification program formally demonstrates knowledge and clinical proficiency in laser dentistry. The program is a structured educational mechanism for dental practitioners wishing to demonstrate high standards of dental laser use.

Background

The Academy of Laser Dentistry has formally adopted the Curriculum Guidelines and Standards for Dental Laser Education, initially developed in July 1992 and revised in 1998, through a consensus process with members from dental academia, industry and private practice. These guidelines establish standards of education for the demonstration of safe and effective use of lasers by dental professionals. The education committee of the Academy of Laser Dentistry regularly reviews and interprets these educational standards.

Levels of Dental Laser Education

The Academy formally recognizes four levels of dental laser certification:

Introductory Level

This certification level encompasses an understanding of laser physics and the uses of lasers in dentistry. It is intended to be informational and primarily didactic. There is no examination. This is a pre-requisite for the standard level of recognition.

Standard Proficiency
Standard Proficiency is the basic level of education in dental laser usage, including specific laser proficiency and laboratory knowledge. Candidates for standard proficiency must demonstrate basic understanding of all wavelengths via an online 75 question multiple choice examination and a clinical simulation proficiency exam, with at least one wavelength. The standard proficiency level defines the standard of care for the dental professional. The standard level of proficiency also forms the base credential for progressing to the Advanced Proficiency level. Successful candidates at the Standard Proficiency level can submit for the advanced examination a minimum of one year after obtaining their Standard Proficiency.

Pre-Requisites
Successful completion of a recognized introduction to lasers course is a mandatory prerequisite for Standard Proficiency Certification. The required hours needed to satisfy this prerequisite are equal to or greater than 2.5 credit hours. The introductory material should be approved at the discretion of the Academy or the Recognize Standard Proficiency Course Provider.

The candidate must own or have access to a dental laser.

Advanced Proficiency

The Advanced Proficiency represents advanced knowledge and clinical experience with a dental laser. Candidates for advanced level recognition must demonstrate knowledge of all laser wavelengths via an online 175 question multiple choice examination, then demonstrate advanced clinical proficiency using the dental laser of their choosing. Dental practitioners who use the laser for treatment must also prepare 5 clinical case studies and be prepared to present a minimum of two of them. Laser safety officers do not participate in the case study presentation section of the examination. This level of education exceeds the standard of care for the dental professional.

Educator Status

This course provides specific instruction in planning and presenting the Standard Proficiency Course. Course structure is both lecture and participation and occurs over two-and-one-half days. Pre-course work is also required. Prerequisites include three years participation in Standard Proficiency level and two years status at Advanced Proficiency. Candidates for educator status may submit their laser course materials for review and recognition by the Academy of Laser Dentistry's Education Committee for consideration as an ALD recognized Standard Proficiency Course Provider. Contact the Academy for future course offerings.

Certification links	Format
General Information
Recommended Study Materials
Curriculum Guidelines
Standard Proficiency Clinical Simulation
Advanced Proficiency Clinical Simulation
Advanced Proficiency Case Studies

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