OTC Oral Health Products: What Works? Are They Safe? What Should You Recommend? 

      Presenters: Beth DePalma, RDH (Part 1) & Christina Tibbetts, RDH (Part 2)

Have you seen how many dental products are on the market today?  Patients are faced with an overwhelming choice every time they walk into a store.  If we, as dental professionals find this confusing, how does the dental patient feel?  Patients need our guidance in making the best choices based on their dental needs.  Mouths are not cut from the same cloth.  Everyone has his/her set of unique dental characteristics.  Not everyone has gingivitis!

Let’s discuss some of the over-the-counter products that patients choose from.  What is the best anti-cavity toothpaste?  Is there a mouthwash that can treat gingivitis?  Do over-the-counter whitening products really work?  What products help with bad breath?  How can you help your patients with dry mouth?  Also, who regulates the marketing of these products and makes sure they are safe for consumer use?

After attending this course participants will be able to:

• Select a toothpaste for a specific patient based on type of fluoride, gingivitis or calculus reduction, abrasiveness, cleaning ability, and safety with chronic use.
• Evaluate mouthwashes based on pH, alcohol content, and therapeutic effect.
• Choose the most effective treatments for bad breath.
• Manage a patient with xerostomia.

Participants will receive handouts with detailed information on over-the-counter home use products.

This is a two-part series.  Part 1 will cover OTC toothpaste, bad breath products and how to manage xerostomia.  Part 2 will cover OTC mouthwashes, whitening products and denture care. 

4 Cat 2 CEU will be awarded to participants after successful completion of both lectures and a post webinar test on the materials covered.