Day 1 — Saturday, June 6, 2026

Protecting Your Health

Protect your body and mind to sustain your career

10:00 – 10:15 AM | 0.25 CE

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Dr. JoAnn Gurenlian, RDH, MS, PhD, AAFAAOM, FADHA

ADHA Director of Education, Research & Advocacy

10:15 – 11:00 AM | .75 CE

Physical Sustainability in Clinical Hygiene

It is well established that up to 96% of dental hygienists experience a musculoskeletal disorder during their career; this essentially effects the majority of the occupation in some capacity. While existing studies have primarily sought to address this persistent dilemma by optimizing ergonomics through positioning and instrumentation strategies, other authors have investigated general stretching, yoga and magnification. Exercise, like the Core Four movement paradigm, has the potential to further optimize ergonomics for the most affected areas of the body, including the lower back, neck, shoulders, wrists and hands. This presentation will review the magnitude and causes of the musculoskeletal disorder predicament, and discuss evidence-support strategies for management such as micro breaks, chair utilization and corrective exercise. Considerations related to habit formation, exercise adherence and group performance will be addressed.

• Analyze contributing factors and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among dental hygienists to identify high-risk practices and affected anatomical regions.
• Evaluate evidence-based ergonomic and preventive strategies to mitigate occupational strain and improve clinical performance.
• Apply principles of corrective exercise to design sustainable habits that enhance adherence, group engagement, and long-term musculoskeletal health.

Brian Wilkinson, PT, DPT, DHSc, CHT, CLT

11:00 – 11:45 AM | .75 CE

Protecting Your Senses: Hearing, Vision & Respiratory Health

• Ultrasonic exposure considerations
• Eye strain & magnification fatigue
• PPE and aerosol mitigation updates
• Preventive strategies for long-term practice

Speaker: TBA

12:15 – 1:00 PM | .75 CE

Mental Health & Burnout: Beyond Resilience

This course introduces core concepts of resilience and well-being across both personal and professional settings. Participants will explore how resilience develops through challenge and adaptation and reflect on how they respond to stress in various environments.

With an emphasis on awareness, balance, and support, the course differentiates between stress and trauma, helping participants understand how prolonged stress impacts the mind, body, and ability to cope.

Through guided reflection and interactive learning, participants will explore practical coping and prevention strategies and begin developing a personalized coping plan to support resilience in daily life and during high-stress moments.

• Define wellness and explain its relevance in personal and professional contexts.
• Identify common misconceptions about mental health and articulate ways to reduce stigma.
• Demonstrate help-seeking behaviors and normalize mental health conversations in the workplace.
• Apply at least one practical wellness strategy to support their own well-being and contribute to a healthier workplace culture.

Lauren Smith, PhD

NAMI Chicago

1:00 – 1:45 PM | .75 CE

Microstressors & Emotional Fatigue in Dentistry

Kristin Evans, BSDH, RDH

1:45 – 2:15 PM | .75 CE

Guided Reset: Movement, Breathing & Nervous System Recovery

Dental hygienists work in prolonged static positions under constant physical and mental demand—often without time to reset. This guided, experiential session combines simple chairside movement, targeted breathwork, and nervous system regulation techniques designed to be used throughout the clinical day.

Attendees will not only learn what to do, but why it works—understanding how static posture, muscle tension, and stress impact the body and performance. Through guided practice, participants will release tension, improve mobility, and shift into a more regulated state using quick, practical resets that fit seamlessly between patients.

These tools support improved energy, focus, and long-term sustainability in practice.

• Explain how static posture, muscle tension, and stress impact the body and nervous system in clinical practice.
• Perform simple chairside stretches and breathing techniques to reduce tension and improve mobility.
• Apply quick reset strategies between patients to support energy, focus, and recovery.

Caitlin Parsons, RDH, C-IAYT, CEAS

The Aligned Hygienist

2:15 – 2:30 PM

Summary & Closing Remarks

Day 2 — Sunday, June 7, 2026

Designing Your Future

Longevity isn’t accidental — it’s designed

10:00 – 10:15 AM | 0.25 CE

Welcome Back & Reflection

ADHA Leadership

10:15 – 11:00 AM | .75 CE

Cultivating Joy & Purpose in Your Hygiene Career

• Reigniting professional motivation
• Healthy workplace culture
• Boundary-setting in modern practice
• Career longevity mindset

Speaker: TBA

11:00 – 11:45 AM | .75 CE

Career Transitions & Expanding Your Professional Identity

Dental hygienists are increasingly seeking sustainable, fulfilling career paths beyond traditional full-time clinical practice. This session explores practical strategies to expand professional identity through non-clinical opportunities, leadership, and advocacy. Participants will learn how to identify transferable skills, explore alternative career pathways, and develop a structured plan to transition or diversify their roles. The concept of a portfolio career will be introduced as a model for long-term career resilience, flexibility, and professional growth. Attendees will leave with actionable tools, resources, and a clear framework to support career longevity while maintaining meaningful engagement in the profession.

• Identify at least three non-clinical career pathways available to dental hygienists.
• Analyze their transferable skills to align with expanded professional roles beyond clinical practice.
• Develop a preliminary plan for transitioning from full-time clinical care to a diversified career model.
• Apply the concept of a portfolio career to enhance long-term professional sustainability and flexibility.
• Select at least one actionable strategy to implement within 90 days to support career growth.

Linda Straube-Bruce

Comprehensive Dental Group LLC

12:15 – 1:00 PM | .75 CE

Work–Life Boundaries & Transition Rituals

Wellness & Work-Life Balance: Creating a Healthier, Happier You,” is designed to help professionals move from “surviving” to “thriving.” In an era of digital fatigue and blurred professional boundaries, this session will help to provide a scientifically supported roadmap for reclaiming your time and energy.
The idea is to have participants have the opportunity to explore the biological impact of chronic stress and learn how to implement high-impact “micro-habits”— such as the 3-2-1 rule and intentional time-blocking — to protect their mental and physical well-being. This will be accomplished by focusing on sustainable productivity over “busy-ness.” This program will help to empower YOU set healthy boundaries, help to prevent burnout, and find ways to cultivate a lifestyle where professional success and personal fulfillment coexist.

• Understanding the “Four Pillars” of holistic wellness.
• The neuroscience of stress and how to “reset” in under 60 seconds.
• Practical strategies for digital detoxification and time reclamation.

Ellen Guritzky, MSJ, RDH, FADHA

1:00 – 1:45 PM | .75 CE

Financial & Legal Literacy for Hygienists

This course provides dental professionals with the tools to master their financial futures. Designed specifically for the unique career path of hygienists, the curriculum bridges the gap between clinical expertise and financial stability. We explore critical pillars of asset management, including robust income protection through disability insurance and strategic savings structures. Participants will learn the importance of having essential liquidity and less-liquid assets while identifying key methods for tax and liability reduction. Whether you are a recent graduate or an established practitioner, this session provides the tools to safeguard your earnings and build a secure, long-term foundation for personal and professional success.

• Understand the different definitions and benefits in disability insurance to safeguard your greatest asset: your ability to work and maintain an income.
• Develop and implement strategies for efficient savings structures
• Create a healthy balance between non-liquid assets for retirement and liquid assets for life events and goals
• Implement strategies to reduce taxes and liability/interest payments

Tyler Huntley

Foster Klima & Co.

1:45 – 2:15 PM | .75 CE

Personal Sustainability Action Plan Workshop

• One physical health commitment
• One mental wellness strategy
• One career or financial goal

Ellen Guritzky, MSJ, RDH, FADHA

2:15 – 2:30 PM

Summary & Closing Remarks