SAVANNAH SMILES
Laser Certification, Periodontology and Practice Elevation
September 11-13, 2026
The DeSoto Savannah Hotel, Savannah, Georgia
Hygiene Mastery: Soaring to Success with the Power of Hygiene
Friday, September 11 • 1:00-5:00pm
Course Summary:
Dental providers are often unsure how to leverage the hygiene department and grow the business. There’s never been a better time to revolutionize this approach! Tiffany Wuebben, RDH, shares systematic methods that combat today’s dental practice challenges, support patient health, and significantly improve career satisfaction and the financial success of the practice. In this course, we will engage in a collaborative approach to developing the mission/vision and patient care protocols for the hygiene-driven practice. We’ll also discuss a method to revolutionize your hygiene schedule with a 100% reappointment rate. Next, we’ll explore the steps to increase capacity through patient advocacy, recall, reactivation, reviews, and better patient-practice relationships. We will also help you to recognize adjunct procedures that boost patient care and identify empowering practice strategies that transform the hygienist into a true “Hygienepreneur.” Finally, we’ll highlight the proactive steps that professionals can take to build a thriving “hygiene practice within a practice” and develop the knowledge and skills to build a strong hygiene department, leading to better clinical outcomes, greater case acceptance, all while maximizing the practice potential.
Learning Objectives:
- Determine the strategies to build a thriving “hygiene practice within a practice.”
- Realize how the hygiene department serves as the “secret sauce” for a successful practice by leveraging skills of effective communication and improving the connection with your patients.
- Interpret the impact of knowing your numbers to drive exceptional patient care, building a strong foundation for your practice.
- Discover the “super” provider in you and how you can offer a hygiene-mix of services that optimizes better patient outcomes and increases practice revenue.
Biography:
Tiffany Wuebben, RDH, Founder and CEO of The Hygienepreneur™, is an internationally recognized speaker, consultant, and author with over 30 years in dentistry. Combining two decades of clinical experience with her expertise in leadership, communication, and practice growth, Tiffany helps dental practices elevate care, culture, and profitability. She is the author of Hygienepreneur: The Dental Hygienist’s Guide to Achieving Career Success & Personal Transformation and co-author of Culture Catalyst. Tiffany’s passion is helping dentists and their teams strengthen collaboration, elevate communication, and build thriving, patient-centered practices that enhance care, culture, and profitability.
Sponsors: CareCredit, Dentametrix, Kettenbach, and Ultradent.
ALD Laser Training & Certification Course for the Dentist & Dental Hygienist
Saturday, September 12 • 8:00am-5:00pm
Course Summary:
The standard level course is considered the minimum required education level in laser dentistry for any dental professional to be able to use lasers clinically on patients safely and effectively with recognized expertise level within their individual scope of practice. The course emphasizes the importance of laser safety protocols with device-specific and/or wavelength instructions, demonstrating a knowledge base through didactic and hands-on elements.
Laser safety protocols are of paramount importance for everyone within the dental laser practice, with knowledge pertaining to devices, wavelengths, and standard operating
best practice principles for safe, effective, and efficient execution of all laser-assisted procedures for better outcomes for our patients.
Course Summary:
The standard level course is considered the minimum required education level in laser dentistry for any dental professional to be able to use lasers clinically on patients safely and effectively with recognized expertise level within their individual scope of practice. The course emphasizes the importance of laser safety protocols with device-specific and/or wavelength instructions, demonstrating a knowledge base through didactic and hands-on elements.
Laser safety protocols are of paramount importance for everyone within the dental laser practice, with knowledge pertaining to devices, wavelengths, and standard operating
best practice principles for safe, effective, and efficient execution of all laser-assisted procedures for better outcomes for our patients.
Also included with this course is the:
ALD STANDARD LEVEL CERTIFICATION COURSE
Foundations in Laser Dentistry (Part 1)
Self-paced Online Digital Learning Program (6 CEU’s from ALD)
- Chapter 1: Fundamentals of Light
- Chapter 2: Production of Light
- Chapter 3: Laser-Tissue and Laser-Material Interactions
- Chapter 4: Clinical Applications in Laser Dentistry
- Chapter 5: Laser Safety in Dentistry
ALD Dental Laser Standard Level Online Exam (Part 3)
Timed 1-hour exam with 75 question multiple-choice questions. This is a CLOSED book exam. The online exam is administered by the Academy of Laser Dentistry. (1 CE from ALD)
ALD CERTIFICATION COURSE PLUS ONE-YEAR FREE MEMBERSHIP
Treating the Whole Body/Person
Sunday, September 13 • 10:30am-12:30pm
Course Summary:
The connection between oral and systemic health has been recognized for centuries. More recently, we have learned about direct correlations between certain diseases that affect and are affected by periodontitis, including Diabetes, Heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and even Cancer. As research continues, the evidence becomes more clear. We are no longer “tooth tinkerers”, but oral physicians.
Learning Objectives:
Following this course, the attendees should be able to:
- Understand the correlation between oral and systemic health
- Be able to recognize some signs of diseases that are manifested in the oral cavity
- Learn how to discuss cases not only with patients, but physicians and care-givers
- Provide optimal care for our patients based on the information acquired.
Biography:
Dr. Laura Braswell is a periodontist working with Dental Specialists of Buckhead in Atlanta, Georgia. She was on faculty at the Emory University School of Dentistry and currently teaches in the periodontal residency program at The Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University. She is the staff dentist for Zoo Atlanta, The Georgia Aquarium, and several non-human primate facilities. She is an Honorary Fellow of the American Academy of Veterinary Dentistry. As a Charter Member, a board member, and a Master in the Academy of Laser Dentistry, she truly has a passion for the use of lasers in Periodontology.
“Lighting the Way” Photobiomodulation for Healing, Pain and Patient Experience
Sunday, September 13 • 8:30-10:30am
Course Summary:
Photobiomodulation (PBM), formerly known as low-level laser therapy, is emerging as a powerful adjunct in periodontal and implant care. By delivering low-dose red and near-infrared light to tissues, PBM can modulate mitochondrial function, reduce inflammation and pain, and enhance wound healing without cutting or ablating tissue. This course translates the science into practical chairside protocols tailored to periodontists, hygienists, and restorative clinicians. We will review current evidence for PBM in periodontal wound healing, post-operative pain, oral mucositis, TMD/orofacial pain, and peri-implant therapy, along with real-world parameters for diode lasers commonly used in practice. Attendees will leave with a clear framework for integrating PBM into existing workflows—from diagnosis and case presentation to post-op care and maintenance.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the core mechanisms of photobiomodulation at the cellular level (mitochondria, cytochrome coxidase, signaling cascades).
- Learn how to calculate appropriate PBM parameters (wavelength, power, spot size, time, fluence) for common periodontal applications using diode lasers.
- Communicate the value of PBM to patients and the interdisciplinary team using clear, evidence-based language.
Biography:
Lynn Atkinson, RDH, has over 35 years of clinical experience as a Registered Dental Hygienist, with a career dedicated to advancing patient care through technology and education. A graduate of Cypress College, she earned her Associate Fellowship with the World Clinical Laser Institute in 1996 and has since achieved both Standard and Advanced Proficiency Certifications with the Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD). Lynn is deeply committed to comprehensive periodontal care, integrating diagnostics, Guided Biofilm Therapy, and adjunctive laser protocols into everyday practice. In addition to her four days a week in clinical care, Lynn lectures nationally, provides hands-on training, and serves as a U.S. trainer and speaker for EMS Guided Biofilm Therapy. She is an active leader within ALD, serving on its Board of Directors as Auxiliary Chair and contributing to multiple committees. Recognized for her clinical excellence and educational impact, she has received the ALD Leon Goldman Clinical Excellence Award (2022) and the Western Society of Periodontology Hygiene Speaker of the Year Award (2024).
COURSE PRICING
All Courses Including Laser Certification Course
DDS
$1,195
RDH
$899
CERTIFICATION PRICING
Pricing For Laser Certification Course Only
DDS
$895
RDH
$645
Venue
The DeSoto Savannah
15 E Liberty,
Savannah, GA 31401
RECEPTION ON FRIDAY NIGHT
GHOST TOUR SATURDAY NIGHT
$199 per night
Guest Tickets $89.00
Registration
