Continuing Education
ALD Continuing Education Online Courses for ADA CERP and AGD Credit
Welcome to the Academy of Laser Dentistry’s Virtual Campus!
The following courses and examinations are available online:
- Introduction to Lasers Online Course [CE Credits 3]
- Standard Proficiency Online Written Examination [CE Credits 3]
- Advanced Proficiency Online Review and Examination (Part 1) [CE Credits 6]
Laser Certification Program - Educational Objectives
The educational objective of the Academy's Laser Certification Program is to provide candidates with an overview of the scientific fundamentals of lasers, the instruments themselves, safety issues and clinical guidelines in accordance with the Curriculum Guidelines and Standards for Dental Laser Education.
Four levels of recognition are available. Separate application forms and fees apply. Requirements for application and pre-requisites are explained in the Laser Certification Program description.
Intended Audience
The intended audience includes dentists in all disciplines, hygienists, dental assistants, office staff, industry representatives, government professionals, and anyone interested in learning about lasers in dentistry. These online courses are geared toward both novice and experienced laser practitioners. Specific eligibility and prior background knowledge is indicated below.
How to Register for an Online Course or Examination
You may register and pay for each course online electronically or by downloading a PDF application and fax/mailing it to the Academy.
Within 48 business day hours of successful receipt of your application, you will receive two emails - one registration confirmation and one enrollment confirmation with logon details for accessing your course at http://laserdentistry.coursehost.com or the standard proficiency examination at http://www.questionmark.com/secure.
Background Requirements and Prior Skill Knowledge
Individuals participating in the online Introductory Course are not required to have any previous knowledge or experience in laser dentistry, medicine or surgery. Participants in the Standard Proficiency Online Examination and CE Credit are required to have successfully completed a 12-hour standard proficiency course and clinical simulation examination with an ALD Recognized Course Provider. Applicants for Advanced Proficiency are obligated to meet all the requirements set forth below. [See course description and requirements below].
Educational Methods
Educational methods for the online courses include electronic transmission of PowerPoint presentations and multiple choice examinations. For Standard Proficiency, supervised hands-on participation activities and clinical simulations examination are required for successful completion.
Responsibility of Online Program Selection
The Academy's Education Committee, Certification Committee in conjunction with our Information Systems Committee is responsible for the development, implementation and administration of the online virtual campus programs. The Education Committee follows strict adherence to ADA CERP and AGD PACE guidelines.
Continuing Education Credit
Continuing education credit is available to all eligible participants. The Academy of Laser Dentistry is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider and an AGD Accepted National Sponsor (FAGD/MAGD Credit 12/1/00 - 12/31/2008). The amount of CE credit to be granted is determined according to the individual educational content of each presentation and course.
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Registration Methods
ONLINE
Register online by credit card through secure online submission
FAX
Send your completed application form with credit card payment to (954) 757-2598.
MAIL
Mail your completed application form with full payment to:
Academy of Laser Dentistry
P.O. Box 8667
Coral Springs Florida 33075
Refund/Cancellation Policy
A full refund will be issued if any application is deemed ineligible by the Academy of Laser Dentistry following eligibility requirements for each online course or examination. For written cancellations received within 48 business hours of receipt of application, a full refund will be issued less $50.00 administrative fee. No refund will be given after the assignment of login a user names and password.
Official Language
The official language of the Academy of Laser Dentistry's Virtual Campus is English.
Copyright
© Copyright 2007 Academy of Laser Dentistry. All rights reserved unless other ownership is indicated. All online courses are intended solely for dissemination of knowledge relative to the art and science of lasers in dentistry. If any omission or infringement of copyright has occurred through oversight, upon notification amendment will be made. No part of any online course or examination or any part of this website may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means including reproduction by mechanical, photographic or electronic means, without permission from the copyright holder
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Course Descriptions
Lasers in Dentistry - An Introductory Course (3 CEU's)
Description
This PowerPoint presentation will take you through the Wonderful World of Dental Lasers, and is intended to provide you with the basics of laser science, tissue interaction and safety as well as to show you different clinical procedures utilizing lasers. There will be a brief discussion of laser benefits and a short quiz to test your knowledge.
The contents of this course satisfy the pre-requisites of Standard Proficiency Certification. We encourage you to participate in Standard Proficiency with an Academy of Laser Dentistry Recognized Course Provider, take the clinical simulation and return to the Virtual Campus to complete Standard Proficiency by taking the online 75 question multiple choice exam. Then you may, if you choose, begin preparation for Advanced Proficiency.
Introductory Course Topics:
- The Wonderful World of Dental Lasers.
- Now, we'll build a laser.
- Laser-tissue interaction.
- The family tree of lasers in dentistry.
- Clinical cases, soft tissue: Phase one periodontal therapy, gingival enlargement.
- Clinical cases, soft tissue: Esthetic contouring, ovate pontic, removal of pigmentation, frenectomy, vestibuloplasty, tuberosity reduction.
- Clinical cases, soft tissue: second stage implant uncovering, operculectomy, uncovering unerupted teeth, fibroma, hemangioma.
- Clinical cases, soft tissue: fibrous tissue on edentuluous ridge, tooth exposure for orthodontics, gingival tissue retraction, aphthous ulcer and herpetic lesion.
- Clinical cases, hard tissue: caries removal and tooth preparation, tooth whitening, endodontics, pulpotomy.
- Clinical cases, hard tissue: desensitization, osseous surgery and contouring. Laser dentistry made easy.
- Laser regulation, laser safety, advantages and comparisons of the use of lasers.
Overall Expected Learner Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Introduction to Lasers Online Course expected learner outcomes include a broad overview of the research and clinical aspects of the safe and effective uses of lasers in dentistry. Participants will demonstrate general understanding of laser use via a brief online multiple choice quiz.
Eligibility for the Introduction to Lasers Online Course
Anyone interested in lasers in dentistry is eligible to take the course upon payment of applicable fees.
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Standard Proficiency Online Examination (3 CEU'S) and ALD Recognized Course Provider Continuing Education Credit (12 CEU's)
Description and Eligibility Requirements
The standard proficiency online 75-question multiple choice examination is available for all eligible participants. To be eligible you must have participated in a 12 hour two-day standard proficiency course given by an Academy of Laser Dentistry Recognized Course Provider (RCP) within one year of your application to take this examination. You must have successfully completed the Clinical Simulation Examination in at least one wavelength. Click here for further details about the requirements for Standard Proficiency Certification.
Instructions for Taking the Standard Proficiency Exam
You will be provided with instructions on how to take the Online Standard Proficiency Written Examination.A PDF document is available [ Standard Exam Getting Started Guide  ]. As this is an online exam, the instructions provide you with practical and technical guidance on how to complete the exam in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Academy. The module also includes a course evaluation survey which you must complete to receive your continuing education credits for the Standard Proficiency certification.
Successful Standard Proficiency Completion
Upon successful completion of the online exam you will receive a letter from the Academy of Laser Dentistry indicating your Continuing Education Credits. ALD members will receive a Certificate of Successful Completion noting the specific course participation and clinical simulation wavelength. To find out more about membership in the Academy of Laser Dentistry, click here. Applicants for the Standard Proficiency Online Exam and CE credit may join ALD on the exam enrollment application form.
Overall Expected Learner Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Standard Proficiency Examination expected learner outcomes include demonstration of the basic level of education in dental laser usage, including specific laser proficiency and laboratory knowledge. Successful learners demonstrate an understanding of all wavelengths via a 75-question multiple choice written examination and clinical proficiency simulation examination with at least one wavelength. Participants in the Standard Proficiency Online Examination are required to have successfully completed a 12-hour standard proficiency course and clinical simulation examination with an ALD Recognized Course Provider. This level defines the standard of care for the dental professional.
ALD Policy and Procedure for Recognition of Standard Proficiency Dental Laser Courses
A list of Academy of Laser Dentistry Recognized Standard Proficiency Course Providers (RCPs) can be found here. The Academy of Laser Dentistry initially launched the process for renewal and recognition of dental laser course providers in October 1999. This process follows the standards of education set forth in the Curriculum Guidelines and Standards for Dental Laser Education. In March 2002, in June 2004,and again in January 2007 the Education Committee of the Academy revised the Procedure for Renewal and Recognition of Dental Laser Education Providers and Teaching Faculty to provide current educational standards for the safe and effective uses of dental lasers.
This review of course materials is important to insure that the teaching faculty in a Standard Course meet the educational goals of the Guidelines, since successful completion of a Standard Course defines the minimum standard of proficiency for dental practitioners to use lasers. Moreover, only a certificate from an Academy-recognized Standard Proficiency Course can be used to make application for the Advanced Proficiency examination. An applicant who has taken a non-recognized course would not be accepted.
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Advanced Proficiency Online Review and Examination (6CE's)
Description
The Advanced Proficiency Review is designed to help you prepare for completing Part 1 of the Advanced Proficiency Certification process. The Review provides you with several practice tests that allow you to diagnose your strengths and weaknesses with respect to the Curriculum Guidelines.
It provides instructional lessons that highlight the key concepts you must master in order to pass the written examination. Please note however that the Review does not cover all of the material that you are expected to know and master. It is designed to only highlight the general areas of study. Your preparation for the Written Examination should be supplemented by using other references for deeper knowledge and understanding.
The Review provides you with a way to take the Written Examination online. The Advanced Review is divided into five modules:
- The Nature of Light
- The Production of Laser Light
- Laser-Tissue Interaction
- Laser Safety
- Instructions for Examination and Continuing Education Credit
Each content module contains two parts: a lesson and a practice test.
The fifth module contains instructions on how to take the Advanced Proficiency Part 1 Written Examination. As this is an online exam, the instructions provide you with practical and technical guidance on how to complete the exam in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Academy. The fifth module also includes a course evaluation survey which you must complete to receive your continuing education credits for the Advanced Proficiency Review.
Requirements for Advanced Proficiency Application
- Applicant must be a licensed dentist ,hygienist, dental assistant, office manager or industry representative, etc. wishing to attain Advanced Proficiency recognition or act as a laser safety officer.
- Applicants must have achieved Standard level recognition approved by the Academy of Laser Dentistry for a minimum waiting period of one year before their application to Part 1 Advanced I). Proficiency .
- Applicant must be a member of the Academy of Laser Dentistry.
- Applicants must be successful at Part 1 Advanced Review and Examination prior to taking Part 2, Clinical Simulation Examination.
- For Part 3 - Clinical Case Presentations, applicants must have a minimum of two years at the Standard level prior to applying for this part of the examination and also have previously met the requirements for Part 1 and Part 2 respectfully.
Overall Expected Learner Outcomes for Advanced Proficiency
This level represents advanced knowledge and clinical experience with the dental laser. Learners for advanced level recognition will demonstrate knowledge of all laser wavelengths via written examination (Part 1), then demonstrate advanced clinical proficiency (Part 2) using the dental laser of their choosing, plus dental practitioners who use the laser for treatment must also prepare five (5) clinical case studies and be prepared to present a minimum of two of them at an ALD annual conference (Part 3). Successful participation in all 3 parts of Advanced Proficiency is required to meet this level of education. Separate application fees and requirements apply for each part. Advanced Proficiency exceeds the standard of care for the dental professional.
Expected Learner Outcomes for Part 1 - Online Advanced Review and Examination
Successful participants in the Online Advanced Review and Examination will demonstrate an advanced knowledge of laser use in all laser wavelengths and be eligible to continue with Part 2 and Part 3 of the Advanced Proficiency Certification program.
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