Fluoridation Chairside Training Course Evaluation Results

​On Friday, August 8 in Newburgh, NY and Saturday, August 9 in Rochester, NY nearly 70 registered dental hygienists took part in the Chair-Side Guide: Community Water Fluoridation training. Instructors for the morning long training were Matt Jacob from the Children’s Dental Health Project in Washington, DC and Meg Atwood, RDH, MPS, associate professor in the Department of Dental Hygiene at Orange County Community college in Middletown, NY, also an experienced and successful advocate for community water fluoridation in New York State. 

While the goals for the days were to review recommendations for fluoride use, review the evidence basis behind fluorides, and strengthen hygienists’ abilities to have effective conversations with patients about fluoride and community water fluoridation, the most successful lessons were picked up in the communication with participants, with one another and the instructors. The trainings became a collaborative learning process, with participants sharing hands on experiences of patients’ views and questions regarding fluoride.

Besides the engaging conversation between the instructors and participants, the days were highlighted with small group discussions and role-play activities. Margaret Gonzales, RDH, of Rockland County that attended the Newburgh training stated, “I thought this was, by far, the best CE course I have taken to date.â€