March 15th 2026
Registration
March 15th 2026
Registration
Sunday March 15, 2026
DPPS Spring Dental Seminar
6 Continuing Education Hours - 8:00AM - 2:30PM (lunch 11:30-Noon)
MARCH SEMINAR INFORMATION
3737 W. 127th St. Alsip, IL. 60803
AM Seminar: 8:00am - 11:30am
Joint Ventures: Navigating the TMJ Maze
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most complex, misunderstood, and frequently overlooked components of oral and whole-body health. When something goes wrong, it doesn’t just impact the jaw, it can ripple outward, affecting speech, sleep, posture, nutrition, and emotional well-being. This course takes you beyond the basics and into the intricate world of TMJ anatomy, function, dysfunction, and healing. We’ll unpack what healthy joint function looks like, what happens when things go awry, and how to recognize early signs of TMD before they spiral into chronic issues. Participants will understand the profound role of the muscles, habits, and compensations that influence TMJ stability. Importantly, we’ll highlight how orofacial myofunctional therapy fits into a collaborative, wholeperson approach to TMD care whether used pre-operatively, during orthodontic treatment, or alongside physical therapy and other modalities. This course blends anatomy, function, and therapeutic insight into one practical, relatable session designed to support better outcomes for patients and greater clarity for providers. Learning Objectives: ·Explain the normal anatomy and biomechanics of the temporomandibular joint and surrounding structures. ·Recognize common pathological conditions of the TMJ and understand their functional and systemic implications. ·Evaluate the role of orofacial myofunctional therapy in supporting muscle balance, jaw alignment, and functional rehabilitation in TMD patients. ·Develop strategies for educating and empowering patients with chronic or complex TMJ symptoms, including communication tools and referral pathways
PM Seminar: 11:30am-2:30pm
Permission to Pivot: When Your License Is Just the Beginning
Dental hygiene is a powerful beginning, but it doesn’t have to be your final destination. In this honest, inspiring course, Joy Lantz shares her personal journey of evolving from clinical RDH to myofunctional therapist, IBCLC, educator, and consultant. Through real talk, hard-earned lessons, and a whole lot of encouragement, she invites fellow hygienists to consider what else might be possible for their careers, too. This course isn’t about leaving hygiene; it’s about expanding beyond burnout, rediscovering your “why,” and building a path that fits who you are now. Whether you’re craving more purpose, more freedom, or just more you in your day-to-day work, you’ll walk away with both the mindset and the practical strategies to start making that vision real. Your license gave you a foundation. Now you get to choose what you build on top of it. You don’t need permission to pivot but sometimes, it helps to hear it anyway. You’re allowed to evolve. You’re allowed to outgrow roles that once felt right. And you’re absolutely allowed to carve a path that feels more aligned, more energizing, and more you. Let’s explore the pivot possibilities waiting for you and reimagine what your license can truly unlock. Learning Objectives: ·Describe how the RDH license can serve as a launchpad for a variety of nontraditional and expanded roles. ·Reflect on personal career values and passions to uncover areas of potential growth or redirection. ·Explore pathways such as myofunctional therapy, lactation consulting, education, consulting, or wellness-based care. ·Recognize internal and external barriers to career transitions and how to move through them with courage and clarity. · Develop a personalized action plan to begin exploring new opportunities aligned with their evolving professional identity.
Speaker: Joy Lantz, RDH, PHDH, COM, IBCLC
https://www.joylantz.com
Disclaimer:
Dental Personnel Placement Service, Inc. reserves the right to alter or substitute the scheduled speaker in the event of unforeseen circumstances. The continuing education credits, venue, date, and time will remain unchanged; however, the speaker and content are subject to change. Attendees are advised to regularly check the DPPS website for any updates.