Skip to content
Continuing Dental Education

Untying Ankyloglossia: The Impact on Infants and Children – ONLINE LIVE WEBINAR

Bobby Ghaheri, MD

lecture icon Lecture

This course is offered in partnership with Oregon Health Sciences University. Please register through them with the link within the course description.

This course is offered in partnership with the Oregon Health Sciences University.

REGISTER THRU OHSU

Course Description

There has been a recent international focus on improving breastfeeding initiation rates. Hospitals are increasingly promoting breastfeeding (via Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiatives), and as these rates of breastfeeding go up, so does the incidence of latch pathology. Lactation consultants are becoming increasingly knowledgeable about oral function when breastfeeding is not successful, often involving dentists and otolaryngologists in the management of problems.

Neonatal ankyloglossia is an established cause of breastfeeding pathology. Emerging research has demonstrated the need for a more complete release of tissue, but this concept is still controversial to many. Classically, frenotomy involves a minor snip of visibly tethered tissue, but ultrasonographic evidence has demonstrated that mid-tongue mobility towards the palate must be optimized for breastfeeding to succeed. The concept of posterior tongue-tie is becoming more established in the lactation literature but still poorly understood by most dental and medical professionals.

This lecture will demonstrate the unique lingual motions during breastfeeding, appropriate diagnosis of ankyloglossia, and scissor vs laser release of tissue. Specific emphasis will be given to demonstrating office-based release technique regardless of the tool used without the need for general anesthesia. Wound management will also be discussed. The lecture will use high definition ultrasound and video to demonstrate the techniques needed to optimize success for the mother/baby dyad. The recent focus on breastfeeding has also brought about increased research on the impact that tongue tie and lip tie have on longterm outcomes. With this renewed interest, practitioners are also focusing on how tongue/lip tie can impact the craniofacial skeleton. Recent research has shown the impact of ties on malocclusion, sleep apnea and speech delay. Practitioners need increased exposure to better counsel their patients.

Course Objectives

As a result of attending this course, you should be able to:

  • Understand the unique (normal/abnormal) motions of the tongue during breastfeeding
  • Understand the surgical principles of tongue tie release
  • Understand methods of surgical technique including scissors/laser and anterior/posterior frenotomy
  • Understand the impact of untreated tongue tie on the craniofacial skeleton
  • Understand the connection between ties and future pathology like sleep apnea or speech delay

Instructor

Dr. Ghaheri graduated from Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus, OH. He later completed his internship in general surgery and his residency training in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). He brings The Oregon Clinic Ear, Nose & Throat – East several honors and awards, including his induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and the Golden Key National Honor Society. He is a member of several organizations and associations, including the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, and the Oregon Medical Association.

Dr. Ghaheri is one of the only physicians on the West Coast offering laser treatment for tongue-tied babies. If a baby is tongue-tied, it can be difficult for the baby to breastfeed. Dr. Ghaheri’s in-office treatment releases the tie, allowing the baby to latch properly.

Disclosures:

  • The Speaker has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
  • The staff of the Oregon Health Sciences University and the University of Washington Office of Continuing Dental Education and Washington Academy of General Dentistry have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Course Logistics

DATE:
Saturday, August 22, 2020

LOCATION:
Live webinar via Webex

TARGET AUDIENCE:
This course is designed for Dentists, Dental Hygienists, Dental Assistants, Dental Specialists, Medical Doctors, Lactation Consultants, Midwives, Speech Pathologists, Nurses, Chiropractors, Licensed Massage Therapists, Occupational Therapists and all others.

TIMES:
Course: 9:00am – 5:00pm

TUITION:

  • $695 MD/DO, DMD/DDS, NP/PA
  • $295 Hygienist, Dental Assistant, Lactation Consultants, Midwives, Speech Pathologists, Chiropractors, Licensed Massage Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Naturopath, and others

CREDITS:

  • CDE 7 Credits
  • CME 6.5 Credits (waiting approval)
  • IBLCE 7 Credits (waiting approval)
  • ASHA 7 Credits (waiting approval)

REGISTER THRU OHSU


ada cerp logo

The University of Washington and Oregon Health Sciences University are ADA CERP Recognized Providers.
This continuing education activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the standards of the ADA Continuing Education Recognition Program (ADA CERP) through joint efforts between the University of Washington Office of Continuing Dental Education and the Washington Academy of General Dentistry.

ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.

acde logo

The University of Washington is a member of the Association for Continuing Dental Education.

University of Washington designates this activity for 7 continuing education credits.