October 7, 2026 | 6:00 – 7:00 pm CT
Registration closes 10/07 at 5:15 pm CT
Speakers: Ann Eshenaur Spolarich, RDH, PhD, FSCDH & JoAnn Gurenlian, RDH, MS, PhD, AAFAAOM, FADHA

Oral health is closely linked to overall health and well-being. Emerging evidence shows that effective biofilm control can help prevent oral disease, reduce inflammation, and support better health outcomes across the lifespan. As frontline preventive care providers, dental hygienists play a critical role in helping patients understand how daily oral hygiene influences both oral and systemic health.

This webinar will explore the connection between oral health and whole-person health, highlighting evidence-based strategies for managing biofilm and maintaining a healthy oral environment. Participants will review the science behind a comprehensive oral hygiene routine, including toothbrushing, interdental cleaning, and the adjunctive use of an essential-oil (EO) mouthrinse. The program will examine how EO rinses can enhance biofilm control, improve oral health, and serve as a practical, evidence-based tool to support better overall health outcomes.

This webinar was developed with support from Listerine.

In this webinar you will:

• Describe the relationship between oral health, inflammation, and overall systemic health, and explain the importance of biofilm management in supporting whole-person wellness.
• Review the evidence supporting a comprehensive oral hygiene routine, including toothbrushing, interdental cleaning, and the adjunctive use of an essential-oil (EO) mouthrinse to improve biofilm control and oral health outcomes.
• Explain how improvements in oral hygiene and oral health can contribute to better overall health and quality of life across the lifespan.
• Develop person-centered strategies to address common barriers to oral hygiene adherence and support sustained improvements in oral and overall health.
• Apply evidence-based recommendations for incorporating EO mouthrinses into personalized patient care plans to strengthen preventive oral health behaviors and long-term adherence.
  
   

Speakers:

Ann Eshenaur Spolarich, RDH, PhD, FSCDH is an internationally recognized author and speaker on pharmacology and the care of medically complex patients. She has presented over 1,000 invited lectures and has over 125 professional publications. She is Professor, Course Director of Pharmacology, and Assistant Dean for Research at the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, A.T. Still University (ATSU), where she teaches part-time in the Special Care Clinic. Ann is also a faculty member in the NYU Langone AEGD residency program at ATSU. Ann received the Education Award in 2021 from the Special Care Dentistry Association.

JoAnn Gurenlian, RDH, MS, PhD, AAFAAOM, FADHA is the Director of Education, Research, & Advocacy for the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA). She is also a Professor Emerita for the Department of Dental Hygiene at Idaho State University, Fellow in the ADHA, Affiliate Academic Fellow in the American Academy of Oral Medicine, and Past President of ADHA and the International Federation of Dental Hygienists. Dr. Gurenlian is the author of over 350 papers in dental hygiene, dental and medical publications and has conducted over 650 presentations at regional, national, and international events.

1.0 LIVE/Interactive CE offered for those in attendance. Certificates will be available under the "Completed" tab in your CE Smart Learning Center immediately following the event.

Can't attend live? The recording will be automatically available in your CE Smart Learning Center within 24 hours post-event. 1.0 CE can be earned after successful completion of a post-test.