11th Annual Linda Niessen Geriatric Symposium

Linda Niessen joined Kansas City University (KCU) in 2020 as professor and founding dean for the College of Dental Medicine and vice provost for Oral Health Affairs. Prior to joining KCU, she served as dean and professor at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) College of Dental Medicine from 2013 to 2019. Dr. Niessen had a career in the dental industry as chief clinical officer for Dentsply International, a global dental manufacturing company, from 1998 to 2013. Before joining Dentsply, she was a professor and chair in the Department of Public Health Sciences at Baylor College of Dentistry (now Texas A&M School of Dentistry). Dr. Niessen started her career as a commissioned officer in the US Public Health Service, Division of Indian Health, where she worked for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, in Talihina, Oklahoma.

Dr. Niessen has authored over 80 peer-reviewed publications, numerous chapters, and a textbook, Geriatric Dentistry: Aging and Oral Health. She is a diplomat of the American Board of Dental Public Health and the American Board of Special Care Dentistry. She has provided clinical care to medically complex patients at VA Medical Centers in Boston and Dallas.

She has been active professionally in numerous organizations and served as president of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, the American Academy of Public Health Dentistry, the American Association of Women Dentists, the American Board of Dental Public Health, Dallas County Dental Society, and the Friends of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. She is the recipient of numerous awards for her service to dentistry and the dental profession, including the 2017 Paragon Award presented by the American Student Dental Association for her support of dental students.

Dr. Niessen received a Doctor of Dental Medicine, cum laude, a Master’s in Public Health, and Master’s in Public Policy, all from Harvard University. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry (Phi Beta Kappa) from the University of New Mexico.

Dr. Helena Tapias-Perdigon is a Clinical Associate Professor for Texas A&M University School of Dentistry, in the Department of Restorative Sciences. She has been in this position since 2008. In addition to her clinical duties for the School of Dentistry, she is an active researcher in the field of geriatrics.

She earned her dental degree from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia in 1994, and her Masters Degree in Geriatric Dentistry from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 2007.

She is an active member of the Special Care in Dentistry Association and International Geriatric Oral Research Group. She served as President for the Section of Gerontology and Geriatrics Education Group from the American Dental Education Association. She was part of the National Faculty Advisor Committee for the Hispanic Dental Association and she is a Board Member of the North Texas Hispanic Dental Association.

Dr. Tapias has been an invited speaker during Southwest Dental Conferences in areas of her field (Geriatric Dentistry) as well as an invited lecturer during International Association for Dental Research conferences.

She is the creator and event organizer for the Linda C. Niessen Geriatrics Symposium. Her vision, when creating this symposium, was the promotion of geriatric dentistry training for faculty, students, and staff at the School of Dentistry, as well as outside dentists, dental hygienists and other dental professionals. The goal of the event is to help train dental professionals toensure the best oral care possible for the senior population in our community. The event is held annually.

“Successful Dental Management of Geriatric Patients: Tips & Tools”

Speaker: Brooke M.O. Fukuoka. DMD, DABSCD

Owner- My Special Smiles PLLC & Dentist at Advance Deliver Dental Clinic. Jerome, Idaho.

Dr. Brooke is a passionate speaker whose primary focus is improving oral health for patients who have special healthcare needs and geriatric patients who live in long-term care. She has practiced in a diverse array of settings and has built programs to help expand access to care for her patients. In her part time practice, Your Special Smiles PLLC, she practices portable dentistry, teledentistry and most importantly has developed a professionally aided home hygiene program in two long-term care facilities. She also works full time with a Federally Qualified Health Center, Family Health Services of Idaho where she has developed their Advanced Delivery Dental Clinic, which is a “brick and mortar” clinic exclusively for patients who have special healthcare needs. She and her team provide services in office as well as in the hospital setting with the Family Health Services Advanced Delivery Dental Clinic. Dr. Brooke is active in organized dentistry and enjoys working with diverse groups of people. Her high-energy and fast-paced courses can be catered to any group regardless of size or education level. She strives to create a fun, yet educational, interactive environment where learners gain knowledge and experiences they can immediately implement into practice.

Join us for a day of real world care tips that can help you improve oral health for even the most difficult geriatric patients. The day will start diving into minimally invasive techniques that have revolutionized our speakers delivery of end of life care. From there we will explore long term care outreach options which can range from comprehensive portable care to facilitated remote home hygiene programs. During this course we will also look on how we can stay connected with patients in long term care utilizing teledentistry. In the afternoon we will have a unique simulation course that will cater to emotional learning and we will conclude the day with a hands on show and tell experience where you will have the opportunity to try some of the speakers favorite things.

SDF/SMART Restorations: a game changer in geriatric dentistry : 1.5 hours didactic

Short Summary: Silver Diamine Fluoride and SMART restorations have been growing in interest in dentistry and are especially useful in geriatric dentistry. Many courses exist where these topics are discussed. What is it YOU want to talk about? We will have topics on a slide Jeopardy Style, and the learners will pick which ones we talk about. Learners will keep choosing topics until the time runs out. Learning Objectives covered will vary based on what learners pick.

Learning Objectives (will vary based on topics chosen by learners):

Objective 1: Understand the basic science behind SDF and Glass Ionomer

Objective 2: Be aware of various protocols, with SDF and Glass Ionomer

Objective 3: Understand partial caries removal

Objective 4: Indications and contraindications for SDF/SMART

Objective 5: See Case Examples in adult populations.

Objective 6: Learn other topical medicament options.

Our Patient Moved to Assisted Living. Now What? 1.5 hours

Short Summary: Outreach and improving home hygiene are key in success with patients who reside in long term care. We will discuss the benefits and challenges of both a portable dentistry and teledentistry and how these can supplement a traditional practice. We will review the basic equipment needs and precautions that are unique to portable services. We will discuss agreements with facilities and team members and what we recommend having in those agreements. We will also discuss improving home hygiene for residents of long-term care and how we document the successes.

Learning Objectives:

Objective 1: The learner will understand basic teledentistry terminology.

Objective 2: The learner will be able to minimize transportation hazards through proper equipment storage and transport.

Objective 3: The learner will understand the difference between mobile and portable dentistry

Objective 5: The learner will be able to categorize patients based on their ability to perform oral hygiene tasks and their willingness to cooperate

Objective 2: The learner will understand the difference between Assisted Oral Hygiene and Guided Oral Hygiene and when to use each program to maximize efficiency.

The Wonderful World - Geriatric Style- 1.5 hour didactic

Short Summary: The Wonderful World is an interactive course that puts the learner in the shoes of many of our patients. This course contains simulations that leave the learners with a newly formed empathy for our geriatric patients' struggles in the dental office. Step out of your world and into theirs as you engage and feel what it is like to experience the world in a different way. Sit in the "Splash Zone" for a particularly interactive experience. IN PERSON COURSE ONLY. NO RECORDING ALLOWED.

Learning Objectives:

Objective 1: The learner will have a better understanding of what it feels like to have decreased vision in the dental office.

Objective 2: The learner will practice non-verbal communication.

Objective 3: The learner will witness the power of visual aides.

Objective 4: The learner will learn how to alter the environment to influence behavior.

Geriatrics Show and Tell: 1.5 hour

Short Summary: This course is just as the title suggests. Dr. Brooke will show things that help make it easier for her to treat her patients. The last portion of the course is a time when learners can come up to the "Show and Tell" table so they can see and feel some of the instruments.

Learning Objectives:

Objective 1: See and feel various bite blocks

Objective 2: See and feel various toothbrushes

Objective 3: See and feel various interproximal cleaning aids

Objective 4: See a video/photo of a wheelchair lift and vacpac

Objective 5: Taste alternative treats

Objective 6: Try SDF: (pending product donation)

Objective 7: Try cheek retractor (pending product donation)

Course Information:

Date: Friday, May 31, 2024

Time: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Location: Texas A&M University, School of Dentistry, Lecture Room #605

Credit: 7 Hours ADACERP credits hours, Lecture and Q&A

AGD Codes: 752 Geriatric Dentistry

Texas A&M University School of Dentistry is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.

QUESTIONS: Please email [email protected].

ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.

Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to ADA CERP at www.ada.org/cerp. Continuing education credits issued for participation in the CE activity may not apply toward license renewal in all states/provinces. It is the responsibility of each participant to verify the requirements of his/her state/provincial licensing board(s).

CONFIRMATIONS: Will be sent by e-mail to the official email address provided by the attendee to the registration website. Exact email is necessary.

REGISTRATION CANCELLATION: Tuition is refundable if a course is canceled by the Office of CE. “No Shows” for a course forfeit all tuition. Confirm notification of cancellation by e-mail. The CE Office cannot be held responsible for a non-refundable airline ticket.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Texas A&M University, School of Dentistry, Administration Education Building, 3302 Gaston Avenue, Dallas, United States