As a Registered Dental Hygienist, Clinical Herbalist, and Health Coach, Dabney holds a BS in Oral Health Promotion and certifications in Plant-Based Nutrition and Health Coaching. A graduate of a rigorous three-year clinical herbalism program, Dabney uniquely integrates her herbal knowledge with dental hygiene in her independent herbal practice and chairside. A lifelong learner, she enjoys growing herbs and making medicine. Learn more and shop at www.herbalhygienist.com.
Description:
As our understanding of the oral-systemic connection deepens, it becomes increasingly clear that periodontal and caries risk are not isolated to the mouth but are profoundly influenced by the triad of nutrition, gut health, and overall lifestyle choices. This expanded scope empowers us to move beyond a traditional operative focus and engage in more meaningful, evidence-based conversations with patients at chairside, discussing holistic strategies that address the root causes of inflammation and dysbiosis. However, to sustainably guide our patients on this wellness journey, we must first prioritize our own well-being; preventing burnout through intentional self-care and wellness strategies is not a luxury but a clinical necessity, ensuring we maintain the passion and vitality required for this vital, people-centered profession.
Upon completion of this course, the dental professional will be able to:
1. Analyze the latest evidence connecting systemic health—specifically nutrition, gut health, and lifestyle factors—to the risk and progression of periodontal disease and dental caries.
2. Integrate evidence-based concepts of holistic oral-systemic health into practical, patient-specific conversations during chairside consultations.
3. Develop personalized wellness plans for patients that incorporate nutritional and lifestyle modifications to support improved oral health outcomes.
4. Apply self-care and wellness strategies to mitigate professional burnout and sustain long-term passion and well-being within the dental hygiene profession.
To register and pay online go to: https://vdha.wildapricot.org/event-6381739
Please register by Friday, November 28, 2025 (ONLY CREDIT / DEBIT CARDS ACCEPTED)
*Use the same email address you registered with for the day of the event
Course Fee: ADHA / VDHA Member - $15.00
Current SCADHA Member - FREE
Non ADHA Member - $30.00
Earn (1) CE credit hour by attending this event in its entirety.
No refund for cancellation one week prior to course date. Course will begin promptly at posted time. Northwest Dental Hygienists' Component is an approved course provider by the Virginia Board of Dentistry.
If you have any questions, contact:
Susan Daugherty, BS, RDH
Northwest Dental Hygienists' Component, CE Chairperson
Email - Flossy3511@aol.com
