2026 Courses and Events

Description:

No ticket or pre-registration is required for this course. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Advances in diagnostic technologies are changing how dental professionals identify and manage early-stage disease. Improved detection methods provide opportunities to intervene earlier while preserving natural tooth structure and avoiding unnecessary surgical treatment. This lecture explores a contemporary, patient-centered approach to managing non-cavitated enamel lesions. Attendees examine the role of advanced diagnostic technologies in identifying early disease and the factors that influence clinical decision-making. Evidence-informed approaches to non-invasive management are presented for cases where intervention is appropriate. The course also addresses how early intervention is incorporated into everyday practice through standardized clinical protocols, interdisciplinary team communication, and effective patient education. By moving beyond a traditional “watch or drill” approach, dental teams align treatment decisions with lesion characteristics, patient risk, clinical evidence, and the goal of preserving natural tooth structure.

Learn to:

• recognize and assess non-cavitated, early-stage enamel lesions using contemporary diagnostic technologies and understand how improved detection can support more informed clinical decision-making
• compare management approaches for early enamel lesions, including monitoring, surgical intervention, and non-invasive restorative approaches, based on lesion characteristics, patient risk, clinical evidence, and treatment goals
• discuss the principles and clinical considerations of non-invasive management of appropriate early enamel lesions as part of a tooth-preserving approach to care
• identify strategies for integrating early intervention protocols into the dental practice workflow, including collaboration among dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, and administrative team members
• apply patient-centered communication strategies to explain diagnostic findings and discuss appropriate management options, supporting informed decision-making and patient engagement

Support for this program is provided by vVARDIS