Learning Objectives: 

• Analyze clinical findings and patient-specific factors to determine when laser therapy is appropriate and when it may not be  
• Differentiate laser treatment approaches based on tissue presentation, treatment goals and individual patient needs  
• Apply advanced laser concepts to challenging clinical cases and modify treatment strategies when expected outcomes are not achieved  
• Develop a clinical decision-making framework that can be applied to laser procedures throughout everyday dental hygiene practice

Knowing how to turn on a laser is one thing. Knowing what to do with it when the patient is sitting in your chair is another.  As laser technology becomes more integrated into dental hygiene, clinicians must move beyond memorizing settings and protocols and learn how to make confident clinical decisions based on what they see in front of them. When should you use the laser? Which procedure makes the most sense? When should you modify your approach, and when should you leave the laser out altogether?  This advanced, case-driven course puts clinical decision-making at the center of laser therapy. Attendees will work through real-world patient presentations involving inflammation, gingivitis, periodontal disease, scaling and root planing, periodontal maintenance, implant care, dentinal hypersensitivity, and photobiomodulation. Together, we’ll evaluate clinical findings, select treatment strategies, and discuss where laser therapy may or may not add value. We’ll also tackle the situations that aren't always as straightforward as the textbook. What happens when tissue isn't responding as expected? When should protocols change? How do wavelength, tissue interaction, technique, and treatment goals influence your decisions?  Rather than simply learning another list of laser procedures, attendees will learn how to think through laser therapy clinically. Come ready to analyze cases, challenge your current protocols, and take your laser decision-making to the next level.