Build confidence in addressing mental health during medical history updates and guiding patients toward professional support when needed. (3 CE Credits)

NOTE: This is a live webinar scheduled for Jan. 23, 2026. It is not included with the ADA CE Online subscription.

Date: January 23, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central

The U.S. faces a growing mental health crisis, fueled by post-pandemic isolation and loneliness. As a dental professional, you play a vital role in recognizing signs of mental health concerns and guiding patients to life-changing resources. In this dentist-led Live Webinar, experts from multiple health care fields will equip you with practical tools to identify issues during medical history updates or patient interactions, respond with empathy, and confidently refer patients—even if you’re unfamiliar with mental health networks. You’ll leave with communication strategies and collaboration skills to connect patients with the help they need.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the nation’s mental health crisis and learn of the U.S. Surgeon General’s public health advisory on the importance of social connection for individual health, and for clinicians to ask brief questions about loneliness and connection.
• Understand the role of empathy and adopt the best communication practices when addressing a patient presenting mental health needs.
• Implement questions during a medical update that will open conversations about mental health.
• Know how and when to use appropriate and validated tools for screening and learn about the science behind them, such as the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2).
• Learn how to refer patients to mental health resources, including starting points, communication best practices and integration models used in clinics.

This Live Webinar is presented with generous support from the ADA’s Council on Dental Practice (CDP) and the Dental Team Wellness Advisory Committee (DWAC), in their continued effort to prioritize mental health and wellness for dental professionals and patients.

Authors

Danielle Rulli, R.D.H., M.S., D.H.Sc.

Lisa de Saxe Zerden, Ph.D.

Jennifer L. Thompson, D.D.S., F.A.C.D., F.I.C.D., F.P.F.A.

Lisa Kearney, D.D.S

Adrienne Lapidos, Ph.D.

Margaret Gingrich, D.D.S.

Build confidence in addressing mental health during medical history updates and guiding patients toward professional support when needed. (3 CE Credits)

NOTE: This is a live webinar scheduled for Jan. 23, 2026. It is not included with the ADA CE Online subscription.

Date: January 23, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central

The U.S. faces a growing mental health crisis, fueled by post-pandemic isolation and loneliness. As a dental professional, you play a vital role in recognizing signs of mental health concerns and guiding patients to life-changing resources. In this dentist-led Live Webinar, experts from multiple health care fields will equip you with practical tools to identify issues during medical history updates or patient interactions, respond with empathy, and confidently refer patients—even if you’re unfamiliar with mental health networks. You’ll leave with communication strategies and collaboration skills to connect patients with the help they need.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the nation’s mental health crisis and learn of the U.S. Surgeon General’s public health advisory on the importance of social connection for individual health, and for clinicians to ask brief questions about loneliness and connection.
• Understand the role of empathy and adopt the best communication practices when addressing a patient presenting mental health needs.
• Implement questions during a medical update that will open conversations about mental health.
• Know how and when to use appropriate and validated tools for screening and learn about the science behind them, such as the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2).
• Learn how to refer patients to mental health resources, including starting points, communication best practices and integration models used in clinics.

This Live Webinar is presented with generous support from the ADA’s Council on Dental Practice (CDP) and the Dental Team Wellness Advisory Committee (DWAC), in their continued effort to prioritize mental health and wellness for dental professionals and patients.

Authors

Danielle Rulli, R.D.H., M.S., D.H.Sc.

Lisa de Saxe Zerden, Ph.D.

Jennifer L. Thompson, D.D.S., F.A.C.D., F.I.C.D., F.P.F.A.

Lisa Kearney, D.D.S

Adrienne Lapidos, Ph.D.

Margaret Gingrich, D.D.S.