Continuing Education

Register Now For Virtual Empire Conference

Registration is now open for NYDHA’s 2020 virtual Empire Conference November 6-7 with a special rate for members.

The conference will offer up to 13.5 CE hours. Registrants also will have opportunities to engage with other attendees and with exhibitors in their virtual booths through a special app for the conference! Register here to download and mail; register here for online sign up and payment.

Our 2020 theme is Virtually Yours: Premier On-Line Conference Empowering NYS Dental Hygienists to Meet the Evolving Challenges in Our Profession. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and return to work, CE topics will cover issues and updates in clinical practice, oral-systemic connections, policy matters affecting the dental hygiene profession, career pathways, and more. See Conference agenda and course profiles below:

Friday, November 6:

Saturday, November 7: 

Q & A About Going Virtual

  • Are the CEs live or videotaped? Our sessions are live and will include a few videos in the live presentations.
  • Can I ask questions of the speakers in the CEs? Yes, there will be Q&As with opportunity to submit your questions during the courses.
  • How do I get handouts or other materials? They will be available on the conference app.
  • Will there be exhibitors this year? Yes, exhibitors will have virtual booths through the app where you can see their displays and demos, interact with reps and more.
  • Talking with other attendees is a great way to share and learn informally. Will I be able to do that in this year’s virtual conference? Yes, you will be able to contact other registrants, participate in community board discussions and start your own topics, plan meet-ups, and join in a social event.
  • What can I do with this conference app? We are using the Whova app, customized to the Empire Conference. You will be able to see the agenda, set up your personal schedule, access program information and engage with exhibitors, speakers and other attendees, as well as see and participate in the courses and other activities.
  • How do I access the app? Registrants will receive information on downloading and accessing the Empire Conference when the app is published several weeks before the conference to provide time to review the information and become familiar with the conference app.

 Questions? Contact info@nydha.org. Watch the NYDHA website for updates.

Policy Matters

Now more than ever, as they say, it is critical for us to provide attention and action to practice and access to care policy affecting the dental hygiene profession.

The 2020 NYDHA House of Delegates also will be held virtually on October 23 and 24 and the Board of Directors has been meeting virtually since the spring to discuss issues and forge positions. 

NYDHA representatives have been communicating with government officials, including the NYS Health Dept. Governor’s Office, and Office of the Professions on return to work issues and guidance; attending and speaking at virtual meetings of the State Board of Dentistry on COVID-19 matters, legislation and regulations; and interacting with the NYS Dental Hygiene Educators’ Association and the NYS Dental Association, among others.

Resources on COVID-19

COVID-19

NYDHA and ADHA continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and advocating for dental hygienists with governmental officials and agencies. We urge you to keep checking the NYDHA website and ADHA resources. ADHA also maintains a dedicated email for your COVID-19 questions and concerns: RDHCovidInfo@adha.net. 

Among key resources:

– NYS: The Health Department’s NYS Health Department’sInterim Guidance for Dentistry During the COVID-19 Pandemic; summary of guidance; andsafety plan template.

– Federal: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Interim Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Dental Settings During the COVID-19 Response; Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) information.