Prevention Perspectives…From Experts Across the Globe

23rd of January 2026

Online

1 hour

Moderator Heather Wong, MSDH, RDH TePe Oral Hygiene Products with panelists Dr. Anna Bogren, Periodontist Associate Professor and Senior Consultant in Periodontology, Umeå University, Sweden, Prof. Dr. Dagmar Slot, RDH, Clinical Epidemiologist Dental Hygienist and Researcher, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), The Netherlands and Dr. Georgios Kotsakis, DDS, MS, PhD Assistant Dean for Clinical Research and Director of Research, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, USA

Overview

It’s time to hear from experts from across the globe all in one webinar. This interactive session explores the evolving role of prevention in modern dentistry through a global lens. Participants will examine preventive care in Sweden, the Netherlands, and the US, and discuss the critical importance of prevention in achieving sustainable oral health outcomes. Through guided discussion and peer exchange, dental professionals will reflect on research, curriculum, and each of their unique focus areas all related to prevention. This course is designed to inspire actionable insights and foster a deeper commitment to prevention as a cornerstone of dental practice. 

 

Learning Objectives: 
  • Describe the landscape of preventive dental care in Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United States. 
  • Reflect on current research, educational curricula, and each speaker’s practice areas related to preventive dentistry. 
  • Engage in peer-to-peer discussions to share insights and strategies for enhancing preventive care in clinical practice. 
  • Develop actionable ideas to strengthen the integration of prevention as a foundational element in modern dental care. 
  • Foster a deeper professional commitment to prevention as a key driver of long-term oral health.

The panel

Dr. Anna Bogren, Periodontist
Associate Professor and Senior Consultant in Periodontology, Umeå University, Sweden

 

Dr. Anna Bogren is an Associate Professor and Senior Consultant in Periodontology at Umeå University, Sweden. She holds the title of Recognized University Teacher and has extensive experience across both clinical practice and academia. A past President of the Swedish Society of Periodontology and Implantology, Dr. Bogren has long been a voice for evidence-based periodontal care. Her research focuses on prevention and therapy, microbial dynamics, and maintenance strategies—especially the long-term outcomes of toothbrush regimens. She currently directs undergraduate education in periodontology at Umeå University, where she mentors the next generation of clinicians and researchers. Through her academic leadership and clinical expertise, Dr. Bogren continues to advance preventive oral health strategies in Sweden and around the world.

Prof. Dr. Dagmar Slot, RDH, Clinical Epidemiologist
Dental Hygienist and Researcher, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), The Netherlands

 

Prof. Dr. Dagmar Else Slot is a dental hygienist by training—and by heart—deeply connected to daily clinical practice and preventive care. Based at the Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), she is known internationally for her research in clinical trials and systematic reviews on dental hygiene interventions. In addition to supervising numerous PhD students, she serves as an editor of the International Journal of Dental Hygiene and contributes to curriculum development in preventive dentistry. Her passion lies in bridging scientific evidence with the everyday realities of dental practice, ensuring that education and research translate into tangible improvements in patient outcomes. When she is not teaching or conducting research, Dagmar enjoys life on a dairy farm, making blueberry jam, and wood carving—a reflection of her creative, hands-on approach to both science and life.

Dr. Georgios Kotsakis, DDS, MS, PhD
Assistant Dean for Clinical Research and Director of Research, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, USA

 

Dr. Georgios Kotsakis, DDS, MS, PhD, is a clinician-scientist and internationally recognized expert in peri-implant and periodontal biology. He serves as Assistant Dean for Clinical Research and Director of Research at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, where he leads an NIH-funded translational research program. His work focuses on understanding how host–microbe interactions drive oral inflammation and on developing preventive strategies that preserve long-term implant and periodontal health. Dr. Kotsakis has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers, is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, and a Fellow of the International Team for Implantology (ITI). His pioneering research has reshaped clinical protocols for implant cleaning and interdental hygiene. As both educator and innovator, Dr. Kotsakis brings a global, evidence-driven perspective to modern preventive dentistry.

Moderator

Heather Wong, MSDH, RDH

 

Moderator for this event will be TePe USA's Professional Relations Manager, Heather Wong, MSDH, RDH. She has been the Professional Relations Manager for over 6 years. She has over 11 years’ experience working clinically as a hygienist in both periodontal and general practices. Heather has been adjunct faculty at both Pacific University and Pasadena Community College, where she currently serves on the advisory board. She has served and supported the American Dental Hygienists’ Association at both the state and local levels as Treasurer, Trustee, and as a delegate, as well as a member of the CDHA. Heather has presented CE lectures with dental hygiene associations (state and national), Western Society of Periodontology, California Society of Periodontology, ADHA, and many webinars with TePe. Her research is focused on homecare and habit formation.