ILAGD MASTERTRACK PRESENTS: Lasers: From the Science to Clinical Applications & Laser Safety Officer Training
Lasers: From the Science to Clinical Applications
& Laser Safety Officer Training
Understanding the Science, Role and Limitations of Lasers & Related Light-based Technologies
Presented by: Scott D Benjamin, DDS
Friday-Saturday, April 9-10, 2027
Speaker:
Dr. Scott D Benjamin
Benjamin is an Associate Professor of Clinical Dentistry at Eastman Institute for Oral
Health at the University of Rochester Medical Center, an Adjunct Professor at
Midwestern University, Colleges of Dental Medicine in Arizona and Illinois, and a
Visiting Professor at the University at Buffalo, School of Dental Medicine, and a
Faculty Expert at the Laser and Health Academy. In the past Scott was an Associate
Professor at Roseman University of Health Sciences, College of Dental Medicine.
He has been an internationally recognized leader in dental lasers and computerized
dental technology since their infancy. Scott is a member of the Board of Trustees of
the Laser Institute of America (LIA) and a Past-President of the Academy of Laser
Dentistry (ALD). Dr. Benjamin is actively leading the development of the laser
curriculum for the American National Standard for Laser Education for continuing
dental education for the ADA and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and
for dental and hygiene schools’ curriculum with American Dental Educators
Association’s Laser in Dentistry-Special Interest Group (LiD-SIG) and is a Past-
Chair. Additionally, Scott is an active and voting member of the ANSI Committee Z-
136 on Laser Safety creating the American National Standards on Laser Safety.
Dr. Benjamin is an active member of American Dental Association’s Standards and
serves as Chairman of Working Groups; WG-6.58 on Dental Lasers, WG-12.1 on
Digital Imaging, Photography and Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine
(DICOM), and WG-11.2 on the Electronic Patient Dental Record, and was appointed
to the Task Force on the National Healthcare Information Infrastructure.
Course Description:
The increasing number of dental lasers and related light-based technologies along with the
expanding number of applications has led to much confusion about their role in oral health care. This
two-day course will enhance the participant's knowledge of the science, functionality, applications,
experience, and the value of dental lasers and related technologies in enhancing everyday patient
care. Participants will leave with an understanding and basic hands-on experience for the role and
limitations of lasers and light-based technologies bring to everyday oral health care.
Today, the wide range of laser applications is almost limitless. Routine laser procedures include;
diagnosis, restorative preparations, soft tissue and periodontal procedures, endodontic procedures,
osseous recontouring and treating peri-implantitis. Additionally, applications include hygiene and
surgical procedures that can be minimally invasive and using photobiomodulation (PBM) for pain
control and enhanced healing providing increased patient satisfaction better outcomes .
All facilities that use a Class 3B (PBM/Therapeutic) and/or a Class 4 (Ablative/Surgical) laser are
required to have a designated and properly trained Laser Safety Officer (LSO). This program is
designed to provide the ANSI required education and training to be the practice’s LSO. Additionally,
this program will discuss the routine care, reprocessing, maintenance and workflow concepts to
support the safe and efficient utilization of laser technology into everyday practice.
This course is specifically intended to assist in understanding the benefits of laser and light
technology for enhancing patient care and the potential benefits the appropriate modalities can
provide in efficiency and improved treatment outcomes. Participants will gain the knowledge and
basic hands-on experience to provide confidence and knowledge to evaluate and select the proper
technologies for their practice.
Course Objectives:
Following this presentation, dentists will:
- The practice and patients’ benefits of dental lasers and light-based technologies.
- An introductory knowledge of the true laser and biological sciences relating to the proper
selection of the appropriate treatment modalities. - The applications and procedures that can be routinely performed with a laser.
- The training recommended and required for successful and efficient implementation.
- Laser safety and infection control considerations.
- The confidence to select the type of laser that is beneficial to their practice.
- The required education and training to be the practice’s Laser Safety Officer
- Basic experience utilizing lasers of several different wavelengths in a simulated environment
to observe the different types of laser and light interactions that occur with different
wavelengths and materials.
Who Should Attend?
These hands-on programs were created for AGD Fellows aspiring to be AGD Masters, but we’ve discovered that they may benefit all dentists, from new graduates to seasoned practitioners.
CE Credit:
16 hours of participation credit for those who attend the 2 days of lecture and hands-on. 34 total hours of participation credit to those who attend the 2 days of lecture and hands-on, complete the assigned protocol in their office, and return to document the protocol assignment.
When:
Friday & Saturday, April 9-10, 2027
GC America Inc
3737 W 127th St,
Alsip, IL 60803 708-371-7300
Price:
The total tuition for Premasters for this course, which includes the reporting session is $1075. MAGD’s receive a $100.00 discount and pay $975. Non-AGD member is $1175. Tuition includes continental breakfast and lunch Friday & Saturday, and a banquet on Friday evening at 5:30PM. Please indicate on your registration whether you will be attending the banquet. Thank you. Friday night dinner is at Zachary’s Grill Located in: Westgate Valley Commons Address: 13415 S Ridgeland Ave, Palos Heights, IL 60463 Time: 5:30pm A shuttle can be arranged to Zachary’s Grill if needed with notice.
Hotel Information:
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago-Alsip Address: 5000 W 127th St, Alsip, IL 60803 Phone: 800-222-8733 Rate: $139+ Tax
Shuttle from Midway Airport to the Hotel; 10 miles approximately 30 minutes. Reservations can be made online at www.ChicagoAlsip.DoubleTree.com, or by calling 800-222-8733, and referencing XX to obtain the discounted rate of $XX plus tax per room per night. Guests must make reservations by the cutoff date of XXXX (When you go to the website-put in your dates and then click on Special Rates and put in XX and it will go right to your room with the correct rate of $XX. If you have Hilton points be sure to login in first.) I *Guestroom reservations must be cancelled 48 hrs. prior to arrival or your credit card will be billed.
**Dr. Gibbs can arrange a Shuttle for the doctors from the Hotel to GC America at 7:15 am Friday and 7:30 am Saturday. A shuttle can be arranged to take people back to the hotel as well and to dinner on Friday. Please email Dr. Jessica Gibbs at [email protected] if you will require Shuttle service
GC America is 1.7 miles and approximately 8 minutes from the DoubleTree Hotel.
Protocols-Note Protocols will be on Zoom until further notice.
The Illinois Academy of General Dentistry and the Wisconsin Academy of General Dentistry are pleased to present this program leading to Mastership certification in the Academy. To complete the Mastership Program, candidates must enroll for 600 hours of continuing education, 400 of which must be of participatory nature.
Protocol Reporting Session via Zoom
Please RSVP to Dr. Jessica Gibbs at [email protected] by April 1, 2027 to present protocol reports on Thursday, April 8, 2027 at 6:00pm.
A Zoom link will be emailed to you.
NEW DENTISTS!!! TWO (2) full Scholarships will be made available at each program to AGD member dentists who have graduated less than 3 years ago! For more information contact: Dr. Jessica Gibbs at [email protected] or Maureen Kugel @ [email protected].
