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Events

Events Spring Scientific Session

Spring Scientific Session

The 2025 Spring Scientific Session will be held in-person on Friday, May 16 at the Sheraton Park Hotel in Anaheim, California.

The Spring Scientific Session is an energizing event designed for hygienists, vendors, students, faculty members and industry professionals who come together for professional development, to build their network, and to earn continuing education units. Among the many highlights of the Spring Scientific Session event is the Student Poster Competition.

We encourage all hygienists to attend the Spring Scientific Session. You will have the opportunity to:

  • Network with hygienists and others in the industry
  • Explore the marketplace for up-to-date products and resources
  • View the future of dental hygiene in the Student Research Posters
  • Have fun and catch up with your fellow hygienists!

Continuing Education Credits

The 2025 Spring Scientific Session offers a total of 7 Continuing Education (CE) credits.

Pricing

  Early-Bird Registration:
ENDS Monday, April 21		 Regular Registration:
 
CDHA Member $160 $185
CDHA Student Member $70 $70
Non-Member $280 $310
Student Non-Member $95 $95

REGISTER ONLINE

Event registration includes morning coffee and lunch. Breakfast is not included.

Cancellation and Refund Policy:

Upon registering, you agree to the terms and conditions of the following refund cancellation policy: All cancellations must be received in writing via email to memberservices@cdha.org. Cancellations received by Monday, April 21 will receive a full refund; no refunds will be issued after this date.

Event Agenda

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM - Registration, Marketplace & Student Poster Viewing (morning coffee provided)
8:50 AM - 12:00 PM - What In the World Is That? A Review of Common, Important, And Suspicious Oral Soft Tissue Lesions (3 CEs)
12:00 PM - 1:20 PM - Lunch and Marketplace
12:10 PM - 1:20 PM - Student Poster Viewing: Innovations Unveiled: Unleashing the Future of Dental Hygiene (1 CE)
1:25 PM - 3:25 PM - The Cutting Edge of Care: Innovations in Oral Cancer Screening, Periodontal Instruments, Dental Ergonomics and More (2 CEs)
3:45 PM - 4:45 PM - Fentanyl: What You Need to Know (1 CE)
4:45 PM - Poster Awards, Prize Drawing, Wrap-Up

Course Overview and Objectives

What in the World is That? A Review of Common, Important, and Suspicious Oral Soft Tissue Lesions (3 CEs)

Approximately 10% of all dental patients have some type of oral lesion. It is Important that the dental hygienist recognize the characteristics that differentiate a benign lesion from a more serious condition. Emphasis will be placed on recognizing the clinical features most helpful in differentiating one lesion from another. Dr. Thomsen will show a variety of lesions and current treatments of these lesions will be discussed.

 

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to

  1. Differentiate between the lumps and bumps seen in the oral cavity
  2. Recognize the important white and red lesions in the oral cavity
  3. Differentiate between aphthous and herpes lesions
  4. Recognize the characteristics of oral lichen planus
  5. Recognize which pigmented lesions the dental hygienist should be concerned with
  6. Development a differential diagnosis of ulcerative and blistering conditions
  7. Identify early signs of oral cancer
  8. Discuss the human papillomavirus as it relates to oropharyngeal cancer

Presented by: Lane Thomsen DDS, MS

lane Dr. Lane Thomsen received his DDS degree and MS in Oral Pathology from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. He was a professor and Chairperson of Oral Diagnosis, Radiology and Pathology at LLU and currently is Emeritus Professor. He taught Oral Pathology to dental and dental hygiene students for 44 years in addition to practicing general dentistry where he also diagnosed and treated patients for oral pathological conditions.

View the student posters submitted to the CDHA 2025 Poster Competition in the Informational and Original Research categories and designed to provide attendees with the latest in dental hygiene research. Past topics have included a range of subjects relating to the practice of dental hygiene.

 

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session attendees will be able to:

  1. Identify new research trends within the dental hygiene profession
  2. Engage in opportunities to evaluate proposed concepts to enhance clinical practices
  3. Integrate new concepts and protocols into dental hygiene practice

The Cutting Edge of Care: Innovations in Oral Cancer Screening, Periodontal Instruments, Dental Ergonomics and More (2 CEs)

Stay ahead of the curve with this dynamic lecture designed to inspire and equip dental hygienists with the latest advancements in oral health care. Discover groundbreaking innovations in oral cancer screening, explore state-of-the-art periodontal instruments that enhance precision and efficiency, and delve into cutting-edge solutions for easier and quicker periodontal health assessments in clinical practice. This course will also provide a sneak peek into emerging trends and technologies shaping the future of dental hygiene. Whether you’re passionate about improving patient care or enhancing your clinical skills, this session offers actionable insights to elevate your practice and keep you at the forefront of the profession.

 

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to

  1. Identify the latest advancements in oral cancer screening, periodontal instruments, and dental periodontal mapping technologies, and explain their potential impact on patient outcomes and clinical practice.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to apply newly learned techniques and utilize innovative periodontal instruments and mapping strategies effectively in a clinical setting.
  3. Appreciate the importance of staying informed about emerging technologies and innovations in dental hygiene to enhance patient care, improve workplace safety, and contribute to the advancement of the profession.
  4. Describe advancements in oral cancer screening, periodontal instruments, and periodontal mapping.
  5. Apply innovative tools and techniques in clinical practice.
  6. Recognize the importance of embracing new technologies to improve patient care and safety.

Presented by: Petra Wilder-Smith, DMD and Cherie Wink, RDHMP, BS, CHEP

smith Dr. Petra Wilder-Smith is Professor of Surgery and Director of Dentistry at the University of California, Irvine’s Beckman Laser Institute (BLI). She is also a Fellow of the University of California, Irvine’s Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Visiting Professor at Aachen University.

In addition to her dental degree, Dr Wilder-Smith holds a Doctor of Dental Surgery with Honors and Distinction from the Royal College of Surgeons of Great Britain, as well as a specialty degree in Oral Medicine and 2 PhDs: one in Restorative Dentistry from Bern University in Switzerland (summa cum laude) and the other in Biomedical Optics and Light-Based Diagnosis and Treatment from Aachen University’s renowned Center for Laser Medicine.

Professor Wilder-Smith's research interests include the development and validation of novel non-invasive optical techniques for oral diagnosis, especially early detection and monitoring of oral pre-cancerous and cancerous changes. Her work in this field over the past 20 years has resulted in much collaboration including more than 300 publications, 200 presentations at peer-reviewed scientific meetings, and 250 public lectures. Wilder-Smith is Co-Principal Investigator on multiple NIH-fand NCI-funded studies to develop and test a low-cost portable screening device to detect possible oral cancer optimized for non-specialist settings. Other funded research interests include ergonomics, periodontal diagnosis, oral biofilm, and dental de- and remineralization. Additional projects focus on the use of stem cells and other approaches to prevent or mitigate cancer-therapy-induced mucositis.

Professor Wilder-Smith serves on many advisory boards, including the Medical Advisory Board to Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, the Board of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, as well as the Editorial Boards of the journals Lasers in Surgery & Medicine, Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, Journal of Biomedical Optics and Cancers. Wilder-Smith has also served on the board of the Diagnostic Sciences Group for the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) and is a past President of this prestigious group.
smith Cherie is a dental hygiene educator at San Josquin Valley College who is specialized in instrumentation and ergonomics. Cherie is also a researcher at the University of California Irvine and she has lectured and published widely on the topic of “Innovations in Dental Ergonomics”. Jill Gehrig’s new instrumentation textbook that is about to be published includes a chapter written by Cherie on “Innovations in Dental Ergonomics”.

Fentanyl: What You Need to Know (1 CE)

Join Della Lisi Kerr from the Substance Use Disorders Division within Behavioral Health Services at the Orange County Health Care Agency for an eye-opening and informative session on the dangers of fentanyl. This session will provide essential knowledge to help individuals, families, and communities understand the risks associated with illegal fentanyl and how to stay safe.

 

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to

  1. Understand how illegal fentanyl is made and distributed.
  2. Recognize the dangers and risks of consuming illegal fentanyl.
  3. Understand how youth access drugs containing illegal fentanyl.
  4. Know effective prevention strategies to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Presented by: Della Lisi Kerr

della Della Lisi Kerr is with the Substance Use Disorders within Behavioral Health Services at the Orange County Health Care Agency. Della has 15 years of experience providing information on medication and opioid misuse.

Her prevention work has been recognized by the Orange County Substance Abuse Prevention Network, receiving the 2015 Linda Kearns Community Prevention Award, as well as receiving the 2018 Irvine Prevention Coalition Outstanding Supporter of Prevention Award.

She has been a featured speaker with the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators, National Methamphetamine Task Force San Diego, Hoag Orthopedic Institute Conference, National Alliance on Mental Illness OC, and the Mental Health Associations: Meeting of the Minds 2019, 2023 and 2025.

Her workshops to educate professionals, school administrators and community-based organizations about the illicit fentanyl issue, opioid overdose recognition and providing naloxone training has reached hundreds in Orange County.

This presentation is sponsored by:

Hotel & Parking Information

Accomodations

The California Dental Association (CDA) is offering an exclusive group rate of $230 per night at the Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort as part of the CDA room block.

 

Reserve your room online through the provided reservation link or by phone through the CDA Presents Anaheim 2025 Housing Support Center.

 

CDA Presents Anaheim 2025 Housing Support Center
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. (Eastern Time) / 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Pacific Time)
844.570.5890 (Toll-Free U.S. & Canada)
+1.628.220.3939 (Outside U.S. & Canada)

 

BOOK ROOM ONLINE

Parking at the Sheraton Park Hotel

Parking at the Sheraton Park Hotel is available at the following rates.

 

Hotel Guests

  • Overnight Self-Parking: $34 + tax per night per vehicle
  • Overnight Valet Parking: $40 + tax per night per vehicle

Day of Event, Not Staying at Hotel

  • Self-Parking: Discounted rate of $17 + tax per vehicle
    For day-use self-parking, please use the validation machine located in the event area to receive the discounted rate.
  • Valet Parking: Up to $45 + tax per vehicle
The South parking lot is conveniently located within a short walking distance from the meeting space. Additional parking is available on the North side of the hotel. Click here to view the hotel map highlighting the meeting space (marked in orange), along with the locations of the South and North parking lots and parking gates.

Vendor Opportunities

Learn more and sign up to be a vendor at Spring Scientific Session's Marketplace.

Space is limited to the first 20 vendors, and registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. 

VENDOR APPLICATION

If you would like information about sponsoring CDHA's Spring Scientific Session, please contact Melissa Massetti at cdc@cdha.org. 

Thank You To Our Sponsors

               
             
         
Corporate Sponsor (singular)
Dental Post sm
California Casualty
onDiem
Proclaim Health