In its 11th year, the Ultrasonic Scaling Teaching Institute (USTI) “train the trainer” program continues to support and empower dental hygiene educators in the U.S. and Canada. USTI provides clinical faculty with the latest scientific research and instructional resources specific to teaching ultrasonic instrumentation. At this year’s USTI, attendees had the opportunity to exchange ideas and teaching methods with their colleagues.
Dentsply Sirona hosted its 11th Ultrasonic Scaling Teaching Institute (USTI) program, an ultrasonic instrumentation “train the trainer” approach for clinical faculty members from periodontal and dental hygiene programs in the U.S. and Canada. The training took place from July 22-25 at the state-of-the-art Dentsply Sirona Academy in Charlotte, NC.
Led by guest lecturer, Harold Henson, RDH, PhD, Director Center for Teaching and Learning; Associate Professor, at the University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston, this year’s program included a review of key scientific evidence, including a recently published clinical study that investigated the results of implementing an improved ultrasonic curriculum to produce an entry to practice competent graduate. Dentsply Sirona Preventive Clinical Educators also provided hands-on ultrasonic instrumentation techniques in pre-clinical and clinical settings, and the latest strategies for instruction, including curriculum structure, faculty calibration and student assessment.
“USTI is a staple training I feel every dental hygiene educator should attend at some point in their teaching career,” said Yuri Oh, RDH, MS, Assistant Professor at the Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Boston. “It really equipped me to become an expert on how to effectively teach ultrasonics, and I appreciated how they offered didactic and hands-on training for both magnetostrictive and piezoelectric devices.”
Since its inception in 2008, USTI has provided dental hygiene faculty with knowledge, experience, educational resources and insights needed to teach the use of ultrasonic instrumentation from a didactic and clinical perspective. So far, approximately 210 institutions and about 550 attendees have participated in the program.
“As the manufacturing pioneer and market leader of ultrasonic scaling technology, Dentsply Sirona not only recognizes the need to train future dental professionals in ultrasonic instrumentation, but also brings clinical expertise and support necessary to dental training,” said Gail Malone, RDH, BS, Director of Clinical Affairs – Preventive at Dentsply Sirona. “It’s also a great opportunity for attendees to exchange ideas and teaching methods with their colleagues.”
Enriching the ultrasonic curriculum
With ultrasonic scaling technology significantly evolving over the past 25 years, USTI is committed to offering innovative and practical training for dental hygiene educators.
“USTI blends not only the most advanced technology and passionate presenters, it encourages critical thinking among professional colleagues during interactive hands-on activities, that participants can seamlessly take home to their faculty team,” said Laura J. Greco, RDH, MSEd, Associate Director of Clinical Education, Fones School of Dental Hygiene at the University of Bridgeport Health Sciences Center. “Thank you for providing this education experience for so many, and the access to incredible teaching resources.”
Each year, dental hygiene programs in the U.S. or Canada are invited to participate. Two clinical faculty members from each program are fully sponsored by Dentsply Sirona Preventive to attend. Program attendees receive 18 hours of continuing education credits (ADA CERP) for the USTI Program.
To find out if your school is eligible to receive an invitation, contact Gail Malone: Gail.Malone@dentsplysirona.com.
About Dentsply Sirona
Dentsply Sirona is the world’s largest manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies, with over a century of innovation and service to the dental industry and patients worldwide. Dentsply Sirona develops, manufactures, and markets a comprehensive solutions offering including dental and oral health products as well as other consumable medical devices under a strong portfolio of world class brands. Dentsply Sirona’s products provide innovative, high-quality and effective solutions to advance patient care and deliver better and safer dental care. Dentsply Sirona’s headquarter is located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company’s shares are listed in the United States on NASDAQ under the symbol XRAY. Visit www.dentsplysirona.com for more information about Dentsply Sirona and its products.
