American Academy of Periodontology to host dental hygiene symposium in Orlando

In recognition of the vital role dental hygienists are to the periodontal team, the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) will host its second annual dental hygiene symposium, Facing the Future with Evidence and Vision, in conjunction with its 2004 Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla.

The symposium will be held on Saturday, November 13, from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. It will begin with an overview of the AAP Contemporary Science Workshop, and will be followed by updates in the use of antimicrobials, periodontal and systemic implications, esthetic surgical considerations, biofilm instrumentation, and oral hygiene products. The symposium concludes with a synopsis of the AAP's 20/20 Vision and the role of the dental hygienist.

"This program highlights the latest periodontal information pertinent to the dental hygiene practice," said Michael P. Rethman, DDS, and president of the American Academy of Periodontology. "Dental hygienists can take the information learned from this day back to their practices where it will allow them to better serve their patients and foster closer partnerships with the practicing periodontist."

"Attendees present at last year's event congratulated the AAP for recognizing the importance of hygienists in overall patient assessment, treatment and management," said Jill Rethman, RDH, symposium co-moderator. "The symposium speakers got rave reviews for presenting current, scientifically-based information. This year's event will build on that outstanding precedent."

Clinicians in periodontics and dental hygiene speaking at this year's event include: Karen Baker, RPh; Sebastian Ciancio, DDS; Michael McGuire, DDS, Richard Nagy, DDS, Joan Otomo-Corgel, DDS; Anna Matsuishi Pattison, RDH; and Michael Rethman, DDS. The moderators are Jill Rethman, RDH and Cheryl Townsend, DDS.

Early registration fees for this event are as follows:

The fee is $95.00 (includes lunch) for each hygienist registered for the AAP Annual Meeting.

The fee for each hygienist attending this event only is $125.00 (includes lunch).

On-site registration for this event only is $145.00. Space is limited so early registration is encouraged.

To register log onto the AAP Web site at www.perio.org. This event is sponsored by DENTSPLY Pharmaceutical/ DENTSPLY Professional, Oral-B Laboratories, OraPharma, Inc., Philips Oral Healthcare, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, Procter & Gamble Co. and Sunstar-Butler.