ODA Regional Event: CE by the Waves

Understand how trauma, PTSD, and anxiety show up in a dental setting, and learn de-escalation techniques to help keep your patients and dental team safe. 

Course Description:
As dental providers the onus is on us to create an environment in which our patients
feel comfortable receiving dental care. Unfortunately, this is not always easy, especially
in our post-pandemic world. We have all found ourselves in stressful situations with patients that have made our teams and ourselves feel disrespected and at times unsafe.
Additionally, understanding our patient’s history of trauma, abuse, PTSD, and anxiety
can be challenging in the context of bad online reviews and concern for legal ramifications.
In this course you will gain knowledge on the impact of trauma and toxic stress on your patients and learn how to recognize and evaluate signs and symptoms of psychological trauma in a clinical setting. You will learn how to identify sources of re-traumatization, and learn how to respond to your patient’s “fight or flight” response. You will discover best ways to communicate with your patients to create a comfortable and safe environment, and learn de-escalation techniques in safe and respectful ways.

Speaker Bio: 
Dr. Caroline Zeller graduated dental school at UMKC and completed an internship in oral and maxillofacial surgery at OHSU. She works in multiple clinics throughout the state to provide oral surgery services for underserved and vulnerable populations. Dr. Zeller is an assistant professor in the GPR and pre-doctoral oral surgery department, and serves as Director of Quality and Patient Safety of Hospital Dental Services at OHSU. She prides herself on working with patients with complex histories to create a clinical environment that is safe for all. In 2021, Dr. Zeller was selected by the ADA for their prestigious 10 under!

Course Description:
There is no doubt about it, we are living in unprecedented and challenging times. A relentless and unforgiving global health pandemic we are coming out of that has completely turned the world upside down. The great steps we are all taking in response to the pandemic, from social distancing… to working from home, are not without side effects; isolation, stress, health challenges, the great resignation, burnout, mental health issues… In addition to it, we are also facing an economic downturn that has amplified and exacerbated the already fragile situation. Well, as if that wasn’t enough, we also find ourselves in the middle of a polarizing racial tsunami and tension across our country serving as an ugly reminder of the inequities that continues to plague us and how far we still have to go. There is heartfelt pain, deep sadness, change fatigue, isolation…in our industry as we strive and stay committed to serving our patients! Dancing in the Rain is a great opportunity for us to come together, hold space and unpack proven strategies to help us turn adversity into advantage; fill our own cup through self-care, be there in our impactful care for our patients and teams who need us even more, and thrive!

Speaker Bio: 
A Social Entrepreneur, Lou Radja continues to work tirelessly to improve the lives of many across the globe. A recognized and award-winning Inspirational Speaker and founder of Lou Radja Enterprises, Mr. Radja has addressed and engaged global citizens all over the world on Leadership, Diversity, Service and Personal Development. As Co-founder and Executive Director of EduCongo, a U.S. based nonprofit organization; Lou’s energy is devoted to generating awareness and support to provide quality education for over 2,000 underprivileged children in the Congo. Lou is a member and Past President of the Portland Pearl Rotary Club, an active member of the World Oregon and serves on various nonprofit boards in our community. Lou and his wife Stacy are proud parents of two boys, Yenga and Senda.