Dental Hygiene Refresher Program for Dental Hygienists Only (DHRP-CT, September -2026)

Description

IMPORTANT
To determine if this Program is right for you, please contact Joyce Turcotte, RDH, M.Ed, FAADH, jturcotte@pls.org, and review PLS policies prior to enrolling.
This course is only open to dental hygienists.

This program is designed to update a licensed dental hygienist, clinically prepare a DH exam candidate, assist a licensed dental hygienist to meet CE license requirements in another state, and/or assist in the reinstatement requirement of a dental hygienist with an expired license.

Current philosophies, theories and practices are incorporated into an intense concentration of didactic and clinical instruction. Direct clinical practice is a major component of the program with individualized coaching. An initial assessment determines the educational plan and length of program. Appropriate instruments and equipment are provided at a state of the art dental facility for the clinical component of the course.

This program is accepted as a reinstatement / continuing education credit requirement by many state boards and professional licensing agencies. Some states, according to their regulations, may waive the DH clinical boards as a re-entry requirement based upon individual case evaluation.  Check with your state Board of Dentistry for license reinstatement requirements.

---

General topics include, but are not limited to:

• standard of care  
• ethical and legal responsibilities
• OSHA and infection control/bloodborne pathogens 
• cultural competency/diversity, HIPAA, medical history and vital signs
• oral assessment and disease detection, digital x-rays, data collection
• treatment planning, documentation and record keeping, computer software training
• oral health education, promotion and disease prevention
• CAMBRA (Caries management by risk assessment)
  
• manual and ultrasonic instrumentation, sharpening, care and maintenance
• ergonomics
• professional, career and continual learning resources
• new dental products and technologies

Pre Clinical Course Assessment: Recommended for candidates who have been out of practice for 10+ years or have less than 2 years experience.  This 90 minute clinical instrumentation assessment precedes the same day as the full course and provides individual instruction, coaching, and remediation. There is a $150 fee for this assessment.

Tailored: The course may be modified contingent on the candidate’s requirements and a clinical assessment. A virtual option may be available, contingent on candidate qualifications.  We do not recommend a shorter version of this class. Based on past experiences, students regret missing sections of the course.

Teaching Methods: 25 hours of assigned asynchronous learning- home study and 20 hours of demonstrations, manikin and clinical practice. The course length is  45 hours.  Extended time is contingent on the learner’s needs/requirements.

Caution: Course participants peer practice alongside instructors to ensure safety when using new techniques and equipment.

---

Enrollment Criteria:  Students must satisfy all requirements applicable to their particular status:

1. Graduate of an accredited dental hygiene school in the United States*
2. Candidate for the dental hygiene clinical boards (must be Dental Board authorized)
3. State Board authorization for license reinstatement and in good standing. (Must be cleared in advance)
4. Currently licensed dental hygienist seeking remediation/ CEUs.
5. All participants must review the Student Participation, Consent, Assumption of Risk, and Release of Liability Form, available here. By enrolling, the student acknowledges advance access to the form and understands that signing its required provisions is a condition of hands-on participation. The form will be signed in the presence of PLS staff.. 
   *Exceptions may apply

Core Instructors:  Joyce Turcotte RDH, M.Ed., FAADH;  Sandra Stramoski RDH, MSDH, Cristina Petonito, RDH, MS; Kristin Minihan-Anderson RDH
Experience: current dental hygiene educators and clinical instructors with decades of teaching and clinical practice. Several instructors are also a business owner, authors, national lecturers, industry consultants, CPR instructors, experienced specialty practitioners, and university/college adjunct or full time faculty.

Lodging/meals:  Group rate at the Homewood Suites Hotel, Stratford, CT.  Contact Barri Scinto, Director of Sales, 203-377-3322, ext. 2 and ask for Professional Learning Services Group rate. Lunches and snacks are provided. Food restrictions (dietary, religious, allergies and sensitivities) must be self managed. Please come prepared.

Course Materials: models, instruments and other clinical supplies are provided. Participants are required to wear clinical attire, safety glasses/loupes and lab jacket in clinic setting.  Business casual for Friday class.

---

Payments:
Deposit: $600 (non-refundable) secures your seat and provides immediate access to required digital course materials. Because digital content is delivered upon enrollment, the deposit is non-refundable, as disclosed at registration.
Final payment: The full tuition of $2700 must be paid a minimum of thirty days in advance of the live course start date.  Failure to remit final payment by this date may result in loss of seat and access, subject to PLS policies.
You may also pay in full using options listed on the course registration page.6

Policies: Enrollment is subject to PLS’s policies and terms, including tuition, cancellation, and refund policies, as posted on the PLS website. PLS reserves the right to update its policies at any time; changes apply to future enrollments. https://www.pls.org/policies

Disclosures: Joyce Turcotte RDH, M.Ed. is a key opinion leader for Hu-Friedy Group and Surgitel.
Sponsors contribute to lunches and products:  Hu-Friedy Group, Voiceworks, Kettenbach, Kuraray, and Surgitel.

Disclaimer:  As per ADA guidelines, participants must use caution when using limited knowledge in treating patients. It is always recommended to do further research.  PLS is not responsible for the the information provided by the Presenter.  The information provided is based on the Presenter’s research,  experience and opinion and is not necessarily that of PLS. 

CE Provider: Professional Learning Services, LLC (PLS)

PLS is a recognized CE Provider by Florida and Alabama CE Broker.

This course is designated for up to 45 CEUs   Check your state’s CE regulations for course acceptance.   Certificates are issued for successful course completion, attendance and completed assignments.