Webinar
2.0 C.E. units

Sixty percent of dental professionals have experienced workplace violence from a patient or co-worker. More than half of those were incidents of verbal abuse. Dental health care workers face challenges and situations on a daily basis where we find ourselves dealing with angry, hostile, and undesirable behavior. These situations can easily lead to incidences of workplace violence if they are not de-escalated. Our responses to these offensive behaviors play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the situation. This course will provide dental staff with 10 effective steps to de-escalate situations to prevent them from escalating to violence.  The course also provides guidelines for dental practices and organizations to implement a comprehensive plan to maintain safety and protections for all staff members. 

Course objectives: 

1. Describe communication errors that can lead to frustration and hostility between co-workers
2. Describe how improved communication with patients can prevent incidence of violence
3. Provide examples of problem patients that should be dismissed from the practice
4. Explain how practice owners and DSOs are liable for providing safe work environments
5. List steps to deescalate a tense situation
6. Explain components of a comprehensive workplace violence prevention plan

SPEAKER

Kimberly Erdman, EdD, RDH, FAADH, FADHA, is a Pennsylvania dental hygienist and public health dental hygiene practitioner. The bulk of her clinical career was spent as a civilian provider for the United States Navy. For nine years, she also served as a volunteer forensic dental technician with the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. Kimberly has a decade of experience in higher education leadership and administration. She is an inaugural fellow and proud member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and a fellow of the American Academy of Dental Hygiene.