Dental assistants play a critical role in the dental industry, necessitating ongoing education to stay current with new technologies and techniques. To support professional development, several organizations provide free continuing education (CE) courses. Additionally, resources are available to help celebrate Dental Assistant Week with thoughtful appreciation gifts.
Free Continuing Education Courses
Multiple platforms offer free CE courses designed to help dental assistants enhance their skills, learn about new products, and earn credits required for licensure and certification renewal. These courses cover a wide range of topics, from infection control to practical chairside assisting.
Colgate Oral Health Network
Colgate, a trusted brand in the dental industry, created the Colgate Oral Health Network to provide free, high-quality, and evidence-based CE courses for dental professionals. The courses are designed to help dental assistants stay up to date with the latest dental techniques, products, and technologies. Topics covered include oral hygiene, caries management, and dental implants. This platform allows dental assistants to earn CE credits while learning about new products that may benefit their patients.
DentalCare.com
DentalCare.com is a reputable platform created by Crest + Oral-B. Their CE courses cover a broad range of topics, from the latest research on dental products and treatments to practical tips for improving patient care and communication. Many of the courses offered on DentalCare.com are available for free, making them accessible to all dental professionals regardless of their budget.
Viva Learning
Viva Learning is another well-established platform in the dental industry. This website offers plenty of free and low-cost CE courses relevant to dental assistants, including topics such as infection control, chairside assisting, and dental radiography. Viva Learning also provides dental assistants with access to industry experts through live webinars and on-demand courses, allowing them to ask questions and receive feedback. The platform’s flexible, interactive, and customizable features make it an ideal choice for dental professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills.
ADA.org
The American Dental Association (ADA) offers free CE courses to dental assistants. These courses help dental assistants stay up to date with the latest research and techniques in the field. Although many of the courses are paid, dental assistants can earn CE credits through the many free options available. To access the free CE courses on ADA.org, professionals need to create an account and log in. Then, they can browse relevant CE courses and earn CE credits to meet their continuing education requirements for licensure and certification renewal.
Procter & Gamble (Crest + Oral-B)
Procter & Gamble offers over 150 online Continuing Education courses at no cost to dental professionals. Procter & Gamble is designated as an Approved PACE Program Provider by the Academy of General Dentistry for Fellowship, Mastership, and Membership Maintenance Credit. These courses are also utilized by Dental Assisting Educators for enhanced curriculum content for their students. The platform provides easy grading and tracking features for educators assigning these courses to students.
State Dental Associations
Some state dental associations offer free CE courses to their members or to the dental community in their state. However, others may charge a fee for courses or offer a mix of free and paid courses.
Free Dental Product Samples
Dental professionals can access free product samples to introduce patients to new hygiene tools. Innovative dental picks are highlighted as a sample option that offers convenience and precision.
Innovative Dental Picks
Free samples of innovative dental picks are available for dental professionals to distribute to patients. These picks are particularly convenient for patients with braces, bridges, or other dental work, offering a solution to maintain oral hygiene without the hassle of threading floss. By offering free samples of these innovative dental picks, dental professionals can introduce patients to a more comfortable and effective way to maintain oral health. The finely crafted tips are designed to effectively remove plaque and food particles from tight spaces between teeth, where traditional floss might struggle to reach. The ergonomic handle allows for better control and maneuverability, enabling patients to clean their teeth more quickly and effectively.
Appreciation Gifts for Dental Assistants
Resources exist to help celebrate Dental Assistant Week. A printable "Happy Dental Assistant Week Gift Tag" is available for purchase. This digital download includes PDF files with appreciation gift tags or cards, sized 2.5” x 3.5”. The wording on the tag is “Happy Dental Assistant Week. Thank you for all you do!” The tag features editable text for personalization with a name or custom message. These tags can be paired with flowers, chocolate, baked goods, or any other treat to create a thoughtful appreciation gift.
Conclusion
Dental assistants have access to a variety of free resources to support their professional growth, including CE courses from major brands like Colgate and Crest + Oral-B, as well as the ADA and state associations. Additionally, free samples of dental hygiene products, such as innovative dental picks, are available to help improve patient care. For recognizing their hard work, printable gift tags provide an easy way to create appreciation gifts during Dental Assistant Week.