Course Description

Are you currently documenting the 2018 AAP classifications on every patient? The standard of care necessitates that each patient has an AAP classification in health, gingivitis, or periodontitis. Implants have become commonplace in the oral cavity and also need an AAP classification assigned and documented when present. This course discusses how to accurately assign an AAP classification for each patient wherever they fall on the health-to-disease spectrum.

This course was recorded live on December 10, 2022.


Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the dental professional should be able to:

  • Identify the AAP classifications for health;
  • Review the AAP classifications for gingivitis;
  • List the three AAP classifications for implants;
  • Describe staging of periodontitis according to the 2018 AAP classifications;
  • Explain grading of periodontitis according to the 2018 AAP classifications.
Credits: 2.00 CEU
Price: $40 for 1 year access
Topic(s): AAP Guidelines
Course Type: Self-Instructional / Self-Study
Instructional Method: Video Presentation
Location: Online
Prerequisites: None
Technology Requirements: Computer (recommended), tablet, or smartphone and an internet connection
Program Provider: Today's RDH ([email protected])
Original Course Release Date: December 10, 2022
Course Expiration Date: November 30, 2025
AGD Subject Code(s): 490 Periodontics
AADH Course Code: AADHTDH-045-2023-01-2

Course Presenters

Shelley Brown, MEd, BSDH, RDH

Shelley Brown, MEd, BSDH, RDH, has worked in a variety of dental settings and has been in academia for 11 years and in dentistry for 21 years. She's an educator for Baccalaureate level students at The Utah College of Dental Hygiene.

Shelley co-runs Hygiene Edge, whose goal is to inspire dental professionals to be their best, promote industry best practices and help educators navigate the clinic and classroom. Their YouTube channel has over 17 million views on their helpful videos. Through Hygiene Edge, she creates videos and blogs and professionally co-speaks on topics such as Anesthesia, Oral Hygiene Education, Adolescents, Clinical Updates, and AAP classifications. She also runs a podcast called Hygiene EDGEucators, providing helpful content catered to dental educators.

Shelley also owns Homebound Smiles, where she provides care to our elderly population who needs it the most. Shelley is an award recipient of the 2021 Today's RDH Honor Awards and has served as the Secretary of the Utah Dental Hygienists' Association.

Jessica Atkinson, MEd, BSDH, RDH

Jessica Atkinson, MEd, BSDH, RDH, COO of Hygiene Edge and Assistant Professor of Dental Hygiene at Utah Tech University, is passionate about all things dental hygiene.

Jessica has been in the dental field for 23 years with experience as front office staff, dental assistant, and dental hygienist. She has been in education for 10 years.

As the COO of Hygiene Edge, she seeks to "educate, grow, and inspire" with dental professionals throughout their careers with helpful videos, podcasts, and other educational content.

Education is Jessica's joy, from educating patients, students, and anyone else who comes across Hygiene Edge's YouTube channel. She has presented both nationally and internationally to continue educating, growing, and being inspired with her fellow dental professionals.

Jessica is the recipient of the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce Element Award and the Utah Tech College of Health Sciences Outstanding Service Award. She is a past president of the Utah Dental Hygienists' Association and is a member of the American Dental Hygienists' Association.

Melia Lewis, MEd, BSDH, RDH

Melia Lewis, MEd, BSDH, RDH, grew up in the dental world. With 14 years of dental hygiene experience, four as a dental assistant, and hundreds of continuing education hours, she loves to learn and stay up to date on the latest technologies. She is a current adjunct faculty member at Utah Valley University and the Utah College of Dental Hygiene and works in a family private practice in Utah. Her passion is helping dental hygienists feel empowered and supported, as well as educating the public on how awesome dental hygienists are to their oral and overall health. If she's not talking about teeth and health, she can be found in the mountains with her family and Goldendoodle pup. Melia can be reached at [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions


Does this CE course meet the requirements for my state?

  • Today's RDH is an ADA CERP and AGD PACE provider, both of which are recognized by all 50 states. Today's RDH is also an American Academy of Dental Hygiene (AADH) approved provider of continuing education courses. This course is on-demand and is considered self-study/self-instructional. It includes a quiz that must be passed upon completion of the course to receive your CE certificate of completion.
  • Your state's Dental Practice Act, which can be found on your state's Board of Dentistry/Board of Dental Examiners website, includes your allowable duties, CE requirements, the rules pertaining to your state, etc. We highly encourage all dental healthcare professionals to check their state's Dental Practice Act often as rules, regulations, and CE requirements can change. 

Is this CE course considered "live" or "in-classroom?"

  • No, this course is on-demand and is considered self-study/self-instructional. You can take the course on your own time and are required to pass a quiz upon completion of the course to receive your CE certificate of completion. 

Is this course considered a "clinical" or "core" course?

  • To figure out if this course is considered clinical or core for your specific state, you need to check your state's Dental Practice Act, which gives the requirements and what is accepted. For states where this particular topic isn't a requirement, this course is still considered an elective self-study course and can be used to fulfill your elective self-study requirements.

How long will I have access to take the course?

  • You will have one full year from the time of purchase to complete this course. After one year from your original purchase date, you will need to repurchase the course if you want to take it again.

Do I have to take the whole course at once?

  • No, your progress will be saved every time you complete a module, so you are able to take breaks and complete the course at your own leisure.

Are there any additional fees beyond the course fee?

  • No, all fees are included in the price of this course! Depending on where you live, there may be sales tax, but no additional fees.

When will I be able to access this course after I purchase it?

  • You will have immediate access to take the course once you register and your payment goes through.

Are there test questions at the end of each course?

  • Yes, upon completion of the course, you will be required to take a quiz to show comprehension of the course. Upon successfully passing the quiz, you will be issued a CE certificate of completion for the course that you are able to download and save for your records.

How do I get my certificate/proof of completion? Will it be emailed?

  • Your CE certification completion will be awarded upon successfully completing the quiz at the end of the course. The certificate will be available in your account that you create upon enrolling in the course, but you are also encouraged to save this certificate on your own device. A link to access the certificate in your account will also be emailed to you (check your SPAM box), but not the actual certificate itself. However, just click the link, log in to your account, and you will have access to the certificate.

Are there refunds?

  • There will be no refunds issued once you have completed the course and received the CE certificate of completion. If you haven't completed the course and received a CE certificate of completion, you have 30 days to request a refund.

Is this course only for hygienists, or can doctors and dental assistants receive CE too?

  • This course is primarily designed for dental hygienists but can also be taken by doctors and dental assistants for CE credit.

Can Canadians receive CE credit for these courses?

  • Canada recognizes CE courses that have AGD PACE approved providers, so yes. However, we cannot guarantee, so we always recommend checking with your governing agency to confirm approval.

What devices can I take this course on?

  • You can take this course from any device with an internet or data connection, including laptops, desktops, tablets, or your smartphone.

Why aren't these CE courses free?

  • To offer CE courses at no cost, we would need to have sponsors (i.e., manufacturers or companies) pay for the expenses of creating and maintaining the courses. We have chosen to keep these CE courses free from sponsorship and focus 100% on providing objective education for our audience.

Who can I contact if I have more questions or feedback on future CE course topics?

  • You can reach us anytime at [email protected]. If you don't receive a response within 48 hours, please check your SPAM folder.