Course Description

Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disorder affecting approximately one in 100 people around the world. At least three million Americans are living with celiac disease, and 97% of them are undiagnosed.1 Celiac disease often goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms are nonspecific, meaning that the same symptoms for the disease are common in various other disorders. Often undiagnosed and unaware, the people affected by celiac disease may be causing further damage to their bodies with every meal they eat. People with celiac disease must avoid gluten, a mixture of proteins found in many grains and products made from those grains.

Left untreated, celiac disease can result in serious systemic complications by damaging the small intestine and reducing its ability to absorb nutrients. Over time, the damage may escalate to skin rashes, lactose intolerance, infertility, bone weakness, and nerve damage.

Recognition of the oral manifestations of celiac disease may be key to discovering this devastating disease in patients where symptoms are less evident. In this course, learners will become familiar with the various oral signs and symptoms that may indicate this serious systemic illness may be underlying. Helping patients understand that they may have gluten-related disorders could be the key to a lifetime of improved health.

Learning Objectives

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

  • Discover the cause, extent, and consequences of celiac disease;
  • Identify sources of gluten and how gluten affects sensitive individuals;
  • Understand other possible causes of gluten sensitivity;
  • Recognize the oral manifestations of celiac disease.
Credits: 2.00 CEU
Price: $40 for 1 year access
Topic(s): Oral-systemic Link, Celiac Disease 
Course Type: Self-Instructional / Self-Study
Instructional Method: Written Course
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: January 1, 2021
Course Expiration Date: December 31, 2023
AGD Subject Code(s): 010, 490 
AADH Course Code: AADHTDH-002-2021-01-2

Course Author

Kathryn Gilliam, BA, RDH, FAAOSH, is a practicing dental hygienist, lecturer, author, and consultant. She specializes in teaching dental teams to incorporate the latest scientific research on the oral-systemic links into practical clinical protocols. 

Kathryn’s interest in the medical side of dentistry led her to years of advanced study into the oral-systemic links, including twice graduating with an advanced arterial wellness certification from the prestigious Bale Doneen Preceptorship for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention for Healthcare Practitioners. Kathryn has completed level one of the Functional Oral Systemic Health Mini Residency of the renowned Exceptional Dental Courses, and in 2018, she earned a Fellowship in the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health. Kathryn earned her certification in Biological Dental Hygiene from the International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine in 2020.

Kathryn has been on the front lines of early detection of oral and oropharyngeal cancer throughout her career. She serves as the Director of Education for Oral Cancer Cause and serves on the Dental Hygiene Advisory Board of the Oral Cancer Foundation. 

Kathryn is a faculty member and dental hygiene specialty coach for the Productive Dentist Academy. A national speaker, a key opinion leader, and industry influencer, Kathryn has published multiple articles and continuing education courses.

After 30 years as a dental hygienist, Kathryn continues to be passionate about her career as a dental hygienist, and she feels her purpose is to love her patients back to health.

Course Conflicts of Interest: None

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.