TECH132-0708: Basic Dentistry for the Veterinary Technician Module 1

INSTRUCTOR:
Steve Holmstrom, DVM, DAVDC

DATES:
July 29-August 28, 2008
Real Time Sessions: Monday evenings August 4, 11, and 18, 2008; 9:00pm-11:00pm pm ET (USA)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Due to the relatively high number of patients with periodontal disease in small animal veterinary practice, the emphasis of this basic course is placed on the recognition, prevention, and treatment of periodontal disease. This basic course will provide instruction to the veterinary technician student, experienced veterinary assistants, and credentialed veterinary technicians on the oral examination, disease recognition and discussion of pathogenesis, and proper performance of the dental prophylaxis. We will also cover safety in the workplace and ergonomics.

The course will consist of three (3), two hour real time sessions; library materials supplementing the required reading chapters in the required text; multiple choice quizzes (at the end of each chapter) designed to enhance course effectiveness and material retention; a cumulative final online; and interactive message board discussions. Module 1 is a highly recommended prerequisite for Module 2; this is to help insure a complete understanding of dentistry and dental procedures for dogs and cats.

All veterinary staff involved in or wishing to learn more about veterinary dentistry are encouraged to register, however, it is advisable that registrants be those currently performing dental prophylaxis in practice.

Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to understand

• and recognize the cause, prevention, and treatment of periodontal disease.
• the duties of the veterinary technician as they relate to veterinary dentistry including
  • the care of equipment and instruments.
  • proper performance of a complete dental prophylaxis.
  • personal safety.
  • ergonomics.

TEXTBOOK: There is a required text for this course:

• Holmstrom, S. (2000). Veterinary Dentistry for the Veterinary Technician and Office Staff. Philadelphia: Elsevier Health. VIN Store: http://store.vin.com/custom/edit.asp?p=82497

COURSE OUTLINE:

Week 1
Required Reading: Chapter 2-The Oral Examination and Disease Recognition
Content: Oral examination including charting, nomenclature, terminology and a review of veterinary dental oral disease.

Week 2
Required Reading: Chapter 3-Dental Instruments and Equipment & Chapter 4-Personal Safety and Ergonomics
Content: Types, uses, and maintenance of dental instruments and equipment; physical, chemical, biological and ergonomic hazards, in veterinary dentistry to prevent injury in the workplace.

Week 3
Required Reading: Chapter 6-Pathogenesis of Periodontal Disease & Chapter 7-The Complete Prophy
Content: Equipment and techniques necessary to perform the complete dental prophylaxis, including scaling polishing, disease detection and charting.

LIBRARY MATERIALS:
Library materials will be made available prior to the topic week so participants will have plenty of time to prepare for the real time sessions and discussion.

MESSAGE BOARD DISCUSSIONS:
Message board discussions regarding the topic presented will begin on the day the course opens and continue for one week following the last real time session. These discussions will be held in the VSPN CE course area.

CE HOURS: 6

TUITION:
$117 ($105.00 early bird special if registered before July 15, 2008).
*Enroll in both Modules before August 4, 2008 and receive a 15% discount off the regular course price.
*Students currently enrolled in and taking at least 2 classes or 5 units at an AVMA accredited or CAAHT approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status). You must include the following information in the comments section of the CE enrollment form in order to be eligible for this discount: your program director's name and contact information (email/phone) and school name.

** NOTE: Enrollment will be closed when the maximum number of participants is reached or at 5pm ET the day of the first real time session.

** Minimal computer requirements for participating in VSPN and VPSNCE: http://www.vspn.org/CE/MinReqs.htm

**For More Information on how our online CE courses work please read the following:
How to's of online CE: http://www.vspn.org/CE/VSPN_M02233.htm
Policies and Procedures: https://www.vin.com/Members/VSPN/Library/Misc/VSPN_M06292.htm

TO REGISTER:

1. Each enrollee must individually be a registered member of VSPN or VIN (www.vspn.org). Membership in VSPN is free; VIN membership includes VSPN membership.
2. To enroll in any VSPN CE course click on the ENROLL NOW link below the course title on the right side of the page at www.vspn.org/CE
3. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. This is our major form of communication with participants. It is highly recommended that course participants use their own, personal emails rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
4. VIN Member veterinarians SHOULD NOT register for their staff. Please have the staff member register through VSPN. Please email VSPNCE@vspn.org if you have questions.

Note: "This course has been submitted for approved for 6 units of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE approval; however participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery of continuing education. Call VSPN CE at 1-800-700-4636 for further information." (Attendees are encouraged to check with their licensing jurisdiction(s) for information regarding recognition by their board).

---

COURSE WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND POLICY: Withdrawal prior to the listed start date of a course entitles the registrant to a complete refund or a credit toward a future VIN CE course, whichever is preferred. Withdrawal within 1 week after the listed start date (i.e. including no more than one real-time session) entitles the registrant to a credit toward any future VIN CE course. (Does not apply to courses with only one real-time session.) After the first real-time session, a registrant may withdraw due to special circumstances and receive prorated credit towards a future VIN course. These requests will be handled on an individual basis. The amount of the prorated credit will be determined based on 65% of the time remaining in the course at the time of withdrawal. It is not possible to withdraw retroactively.
Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN office at 1-800-700-INFO (4636).

---

Nanette R. Walker Smith, M.Ed., RVT, CVT, LVT
VSPN Content Director & CE Coordinator
VSPNCE@vspn.org
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-297-4950, ext 187

Charlotte Waack (Charlotte@vspn.org), ext 193
Chris Upchurch (Chris@vspn.org)
VSPN CE Services
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-756-4881

**For More Information on VSPN's upcoming CE Courses, check out http://www.VSPN.org/CE

[ CE MAIN | COURSE CATALOG | RACE/GETTING CREDITS | ONLINE CE HOW TO | SUGGEST A COURSE | VIN MAIN ]

---

800.700.4636  |  CEonVIN@vin.com  |  530.756.4881  |  Fax: 530.756.6035 777 West Covell Blvd, Davis, CA 95616 Copyright 2000, Veterinary Information Network, Inc.