Date: March 4, 2025
Location: DoubleTree Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida
Speakers: Scott D. Benjamin, DDS
Credit Hours: 1 hour of CDE Lecure Credit
The increasing number of lasers in dentistry and their corresponding wavelengths as well as other related light-based technologies are rapidly expanding the list of applications and procedures that can be performed in oral healthcare. This is leading to much confusion about what applications can safely be performed with a laser and what safety concerns that must be addressed. The functionality of these technologies is the merger of physics, biology, and art. Today lasers used in oral healthcare have applications for both hard and soft tissue. These applications range from restorative preparations in enamel and dentin, to having a significant role in disinfecting the root canal system and periodontal pockets, to surgical procedures on soft tissue and bone.
Additionally, advanced procedures include opening the patient’s airway, treating temporal mandibular joint dysfunction (TMD /TMJ), as well as preventing and managing oral mucositis related to chemo and radiation therapy for cancer. Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBM) with lasers and LEDs with visible light and near infra-red wavelengths is being performed to reduce inflammation and pain and to enhance the healing process. Non-ablative and “non-therapeutic” use of lasers and light-based technologies in dentistry include curing restorative and other materials, whitening teeth, to scanning structures for digital impressions. The use of lasers has led to enhanced efficiency with better outcomes and less discomfort to the benefit of both the patient and the dental practice and improving the patient’s oral and systemic health.
All of these laser applications require training on how to perform the dental procedures however laser safety concerns are routinely absent from this education. This lack of appropriate laser safety training has led to laser related incidences and even the death of patients. The common place availability of laser devices and mislabeling of related laser accessories, such as laser protective eyewear, is magnifying the urgent need for proper laser safety training. The educational standards for the safe and effective use of lasers need to be addressed on all aspects of laser utilization in oral health. This presentation is designed to enhance the attendee’s knowledge of oral laser applications and the safety concerns they present and importance of educational safety standards and knowledge for the entire dental and oral health team.
***This program is part of the 2025 International Laser Safety Conference***