Due to the success of its Fall Education Series, the ODHA will be offering a Winter & Spring Education Series for hygienists to benefit from. ODHA Professional Members and Students will receive this series as a member benefit. New Professionals and Graduate Members who receive a significantly discount from the ADHA will be offered a nominal registration rate of $99 for the series, or $24.75 per course. Non-members can register for $199 for the series, $54.75 per course. The series is flexible, offering in-person options, live Zoom broadcasts, and on-demand viewing. If viewing on demand, individuals will have 90 days from the date each course is posted to complete the course in its entirety.
If you missed the Fall Education Series, you can now access its four courses on demand. To learn more, click here.
What Remains: Forensic Odontology and the Role of the Dental Professional (2 CEs)
Course Category: Infection Prevention
Presenter: Danette Ocegueda, MS, RDH
Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Virtual via Zoom & On Demand
 Forensic Odontology is the management, examination, evaluation and presentation of dental evidence in criminal or civil proceedings, in the interest of justice. As dental professionals, we are responsible for documenting and maintaining accurate patient dental records. These dental records could be utilized in the identification of victims of accidents, crimes, and mass fatality disasters. This evidence-based seminar will feature the identification methods used to identify victims of accidents, crimes, and mass fatality disasters. Additionally, the role of the dental professional and application of technology in forensic odontology will be explored. This course will also detail the various ways dental professionals may get involved in forensic odontology at the local, state, and national level.
Learning Outcomes:
- Recognize and define identification methods utilized in forensic odontology.
- Detail the role of dental professionals and the application of technology in forensic odontology.
- Discuss the various means for dental professionals to become involved in forensic odontology.
About Our Presenter:
Danette Ocegueda, MSDHE, RDH, FADHA is the Manager of Professional Education for Philips Oral Healthcare- Western Region. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene from Old Dominion University, her Master of Science in Dental Hygiene Education for the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Danette is a national speaker with over thirty-four years of experience in clinical practice, academia, research, and Forensic Dentistry. Danette is a member of the California Dental Hygienists’ Association, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, and the American Dental Education Association. She is a past recipient of the ADHA/Sigma Phi Alpha Graduate Journalism Award and the Dentsply Sirona Graduate Student Clinician’s Research Award as well as a contributor to Darby and Walsh’s Dental Hygiene: Theory and Practice 5th and 6th edition textbook.
Empowering Dental Hygienists to Advocate for Their Profession (2 CEs)
Presenter: Lisa J. Rowley, MSDH, RDH, CDA, FADHA
Course Category: General Continuing Education
Thursday, March 19, 2026 | 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
In-Person at Pacific University, Hillsboro; Virtual via Zoom, On Demand
 Who knows more about dental hygiene education, licensure and clinical practice? Your state legislature, your board of dentistry, your state dental association or YOU? As a dental hygienist YOU can play a critical role in professional advocacy because YOU are uniquely qualified to serve as an expert resource to policy makers. This program will provide you with knowledge and skills to enable YOU to effectively advocate for your profession.
Learning Outcomes
- Discuss why dental hygienists are uniquely qualified to advocate for their profession.
- Describe how dental hygiene practice is regulated on a state level.
- Discuss how to effectively advocate with your state legislature, your state board of dentistry and your state governor.
About Our Presenter:
Lisa J. Rowley has been a dental hygienist for over 45 years and has dedicated her career to dental hygiene education and advocating for the dental hygiene profession. Lisa was the founding director of the B.S. degree dental hygiene program at Pacific University, a program that focuses on access to care for underserved patients and provides students with extensive off-campus fieldwork experiences working with diverse patients in a variety of community settings. Lisa currently serves as Advocacy Director and Membership Director for the Oregon Dental Hygienists’ Association. Lisa believes that all dental hygienists should thoroughly understand the regulatory process and develop skills to successfully advocate for policy change. Lisa is committed to protecting and expanding the scope of practice for dental hygienists in Oregon, and increasing access to dental hygiene care for all individuals.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation in the Dental Practice
Presenter: Jeannie Bopp, MSAH, BS, RDH
Course Category: Nitrous Oxide
Thursday, April 23, 2026 | 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Virtual via Zoom & On Demand
 This course is designed to review the use of nitrous oxide sedation in the dental practice. Safe use of nitrous oxide requires a clinician to understand the pharmacology and mechanism of action of nitrous oxide along with patient selection, scope of practice, and equipment types. Demonstrations on the use of both digital and manual nitrous oxide units will be shown using proper titration techniques for each.
Learning Outcomes:
- Explain the pharmacology and mechanism of action of nitrous oxide
- Identify appropriate indications and contraindications for nitrous oxide use
- Review state practice act and informed consent requirements
- Describe proper equipment setup, titration, and infection control protocols
- Demonstrate proper documentation for nitrous oxide
About Our Presenter:
I have been a registered dental hygienist for 47 years. My full-time clinical experience accounted for 39 years in practice in Oregon, California, and Munich Germany. I was also coordinator for a mobile dental van project in Modesto California for 5 years, taking dental services to areas with limited access to care. My clinical workplace settings were in general and periodontal practices.
I have been on the OIT faculty since 2016 in Klamath Falls Oregon. My teaching responsibilities include senior clinical lead instructor, emergency procedures, Emerging Oral Health Topics, Vulnerable Populations, Pain management lab, clinical instructor for sophomore, junior, and senior students, and instructor for the International Externship Program (IEP) that takes students to a global site to deliver dental hygiene services to underserved populations in non-traditional settings. I enjoy teaching to share my experiences, provide knowledge, and continually find ways to help students learn and succeed.
Laser Dentistry for the Dental Hygienist (2 CEs)
Presenter: Emily McCadden, BSDH, RDH
Course Category: Direct Clinical Patient Care
Thursday, June 4, 2026 | 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Virtual via Zoom & On Demand
This comprehensive continuing education course provides dental hygienists with an in-depth understanding of laser dentistry, focusing on safety, the fundamental physics of laser use, and clinical application in hygiene treatment. Participants will be introduced to Diode lasers and explore their various treatment modalities, including periodontal therapy, bacterial reduction, and soft tissue procedures.
The course emphasizes the best practices for safe and effective laser use in the dental hygiene setting and offers guidance on incorporating this advanced technology into everyday clinical workflows. Attendees will also learn proper dental coding for laser-assisted procedures to ensure accurate documentation and billing.
Whether you're new to lasers or looking to expand your clinical skill set, this course equips you with the essential knowledge and practical tools to confidently and compliantly integrate laser dentistry into your hygiene practice.
Learning Outcomes
- Describe the history of soft tissue lasers in dentistry, the basic concepts of light and physiological interaction with human tissues
- Describe the importance of safety protocols with laser usage
- Differentiate between different dental lasers, the wavelengths, and clinical applications
About Our Presenter
Emily McCadden is a Registered Dental Hygienist and full-time Dental Hygiene Instructor at the Oregon Institute of Technology. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and brings five years of clinical experience in dental hygiene practice, with a strong emphasis on patient care and evidence-based treatment.
Since January 2025, Emily McCadden has served as an instructor in clinical dental hygiene, restorative dentistry, and introductory laser dentistry. She has extensive hands-on experience with diode laser technology and has incorporated its use consistently in clinical settings throughout her career. Her practical expertise in laser-assisted hygiene procedures informs her teaching, providing students and continuing education participants with both foundational knowledge and applied clinical insights.
Emily McCadden is committed to advancing dental hygiene education through high standards of clinical instruction and a strong focus on emerging technologies in dental care.
|
