Expand your offerings, manage high caries-risk patients and earn patient confidence
This course will focus on effective management of patients with high caries-risk. This course will describe the effective use of the MI paste family of products, dry mouth gels and glass ionomer materials to manage high caries-risk patients with restorations that are well retained and have no post-operative sensitivity.
The baby boomer generation is 61-79 years old this year and a large proportion of this cohort has extensive crown and bridge work in their mouths. Most boomers are also on medications that result in dry mouth. The risk for recurrent caries goes up logarithmically in a dry mouth with existing dental restorations. Restorative materials with good handling properties that lend themselves to sub-gingival use and save precious chair time as well as dentifrices or gels that inhibit recurrent caries are invaluable tools in a modern family dental practice.
This course will focus on effective management of patients with high caries-risk. Gels and dentifrices which inhibit caries are essential to maintain restorations in a high-risk environment. Dispensing these gels and/or dentifrices from the office ensures patient compliance and has the fringe benefit of building patient confidence and trust as patients appreciate the provider’s interest in preventing future caries, not just in restoring present disease.
Glass ionomers are the only restorative materials commercially available and in wide use that are suitable for sub-gingival situations and restoration of root caries. They release fluoride reliably and bond chemically to dentin and enamel. Their most valuable properties include their setting characteristics and thermal coefficient of expansion which is similar to that of dentin and enamel.
This course will describe the effective use of the MI paste family of products, dry mouth gels and glass ionomer materials to manage high caries-risk patients with restorations that are well retained and have no post-operative sensitivity. A practice that offers these restorative and management options can provide effective and reliable care to high caries-risk patients including the baby boomer generation, older adults, kids and patients with special needs and earn their trust.
Speakers
Dr. Poonam Jain BDS, MS, MPH
More courses with Dr. Poonam JainDr. Poonam Jain has over 28 years of experience in dental education and clinical dental practice. After receiving her M.S. and a certificate in Operative Dentistry from the College of Dentistry, University of Iowa, she started as an Assistant Professor in Operative Dentistry at Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine in 1997. In that role, she taught operative dentistry and dental materials in the preclinic as well as on the clinic floor. Dr. Jain received prestigious teaching awards from students in 1999 and 2003 and in 2004, she was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor. In 2006, she took over as the Director of Community Dentistry. In that role, she developed and taught courses in Cariology, Dentistry for the elderly and patient with special needs and designed and implemented multiple diverse community-focused programs, including Give Kids a Smile, National Children’s Dental Health Month, dentistry for older adults and patients with special needs. Dr. Jain earned her M.P.H. degree from the School of Public Health and Social Work at Saint Louis University in 2011 and was promoted to the rank of Professor in 2012. She joined A.T. Still University’s Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health in 2016 and served as Vice Dean of Clinical Affairs and Advanced Dental Education till 2025.
Throughout her career in dental education, Dr. Jain has been active in teaching, designing and evaluating dental curricula as well as research and has published several articles, a book-chapter, numerous abstracts, and presented at numerous local, regional, state, national and international meetings. She has been awarded numerous research and service grants. Her research interests include dental materials, prevention of oral disease, soft and energy drinks, and nutrition. She has a special interest in translational research and evidence-based dentistry, which she utilizes in her practice as well as CE courses.
Dr. Jain has maintained a private practice of General Dentistry since 1998. In 2007, she founded Staunton Family Dentistry and focuses on general and esthetic dentistry with a special emphasis on prevention and whole-person care. Dr. Jain serves as a consultant for the dental industry as well as other healthcare organizations.
