Learn on Demand

Knowledge Gap: 
The purpose of this activity is to educate healthcare providers with the most up-to-date information on Medical Professionals: The Front Line of Oral Health Care.  

Target Audience
The target audience includes all healthcare professionals such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists and allied health professionals who would like to learn about Medical Professionals: The Front Line of Oral Health Care. and how it pertains to their respective profession.

Release and Expiration Dates
6/6/2018 -6/6/2021

1. Gain a better understanding of the link between periodontal disease and over all systemic health. 
   
2. Recognize the implications and correlation of diabetes, coronary heart disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes, bacterial pneumonia, and Alzheimer’s disease on oral health
   
3. Understand the Arkansas statistics for oral health and the role of fluoride varnish as a preventative measure.

1. Weinberg, M.A., Theile, C.M.C., Froum, S.J., & Segelnick, S.L. (2015). Comprehensive Periodontics for the Dental Hygienist (4th ed.). Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River: New Jersey.
   
2. Sheiham, A., 2005. Oral health, general health and quality of life. Bulletin of the World Health Organization 83 (9), 644
   
3. Arkansas Department of Health. (2013). The burden of oral disease in Arkansas.
   
4. Amar S, Han X. The impact of periodontal infection on systemic diseases. Med Sci Monit. 2003;9:RA291–9. [PubMed]
   
5. Arkansas Department of Health. 2017 Arkansas Chronic Disease Communication Kit. Retrieved from:http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/pdf/FY2017 _AR_Chronic_Disease_Communication_Kit_03_13_2017_crop_removed.pd
6. Matthews DC. The relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease. J Can Dent Assoc. 2002;68:161–4. [PubMed

Biographical Info

Melissa Efurd, Ed.D. BSDH, RDH  
Melissa Efurd is an associate professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She is the Chair of the Department of Dental Hygiene in the College of Health Professions.

Jennifer Stane, BSDH, RDH
I graduated from the UAMS Dental Hygiene program in 2013. Clinically, I have worked in private practice as well as for the ACH Sealant Program in 2013-2014 and at the UAMS Oral Health Clinic in 2013-2016. I accepted a faculty position within the College of Health Professions in the Department of Dental Hygiene in 2016. I currently teach Community Dentistry I & II, Management of Patients with Special Needs, and am a co-instructor in Clinic I, II, III, and Patient and Family Centered Care. I am also a current UAMS COPH student, and plan to receive my master’s in Public Health with a focus in Health Behavior and Health Education in 2020.

Speaker Disclosures:
The planners, speakers, moderators, peer reviewers and /or panelists of this CE activity have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Planners: 
Kim Miller  
Susan Smith Dodson

Speaker:
Melissa Efurd, Ed.D. BSDH, RDH
Jennifer Stane, BSDH, RDH

Peer Reviewers: 
Kim Miller, MCHES