Laser Safety in UK Dental Practice by Dental Laser Training Academy (DeLTA)

Course Description

This course shall be a minimum of 5 hours.
It shall fulfil an awareness and compliance with laser safety that is commensurate with a best practice in safe use of lasers in dental practice. A MCQ test shall be taken and successful completion shall be acknowledged through certification.

Verifiable CE credits: 6.5 credits. This fulfils the requirements as defined by the UK
General Dental Council PDP under A, C, D.

Although exact content may differ slightly, the following syllabus is considered to be the minimum course content that may be covered:

• Basic principles of laser generation and review of laser technology
• Emission characteristics of different types of equipment
• Laser‐tissue interaction mechanisms.
• Penetration of light of different wavelengths through skin and eye
• Laser hazard classification.
• Meaning of associated warning labels
• The concept of Maximum Permissible Exposure and Nominal Ocular Hazard Distance.
• Personal protection measures including eye protection
• Hazards to eye and skin from accidental exposure
• Hazards to the patient, e.g. endotracheal tube ignition
• Incidental hazards, including electrical, fire explosion and plume emission
• How to deal with an adverse event or accidental exposure
• Laser safety management including Laser Protection Adviser, Laser Protection Supervisor
• (LSO), Local Rules and Controlled Area.
• Relevant legislation, standards and guidelines.

Course Outcomes

The successful completion of the course shall be acknowledged by:

• Certification.
• Copy of the 2015 MHRA publication “Guidance on the Safe Use of Lasers, Intense Light
  Source Systems and LEDs in Medical, Surgical, Dental and Aesthetic Practices”.
• Course manual “Laser Safety in Dental Practice”, based the 2017 Springer publication “Lasers
  in Dentistry – Current Concepts” (Eds: D. Coluzzi, S. Parker) Ch. 5: Laser Safety.

Course Schedule