College Launches Laser Dentistry Lab for Fourth-Year Dental Students

Coordinated by Leonardo Nassani DMD, MBA, assistant dean for Digital Dentistry and Advanced Technology, and James Cottle, ’81 DDS, associate professor-clinical in the Division of Dental Public Health, the lab is part of a new Laser Dentistry course developed by Drs. Nassani and Cottle as co-course directors.

The course’s objective is to provide students with the skills to deliver more precise, efficient and patient-centered care through the use of laser dentistry.

“Laser use in dentistry continues to grow worldwide. Our goal was to present an introductory course on dental lasers so the D4 students will be better prepared for private practice,” said Dr. Cottle.
Before entering the lab, students completed nine lectures covering laser safety, laser fundamentals, laser pain management, indications for laser use in a variety of clinical applications and treatment planning using different laser wavelengths.

Emphasis when using dental lasers is to provide patient care using the least amount of energy required for therapeutic benefit. Dental laser treatments often require little or no local anesthetic and typically result in faster healing, reduced inflammation, no bleeding and minimal post-operative discomfort.

In the lab, students participated in a hands-on training with the Solea 9.3 micron CO2 laser, simulating both hard and soft tissue laser procedures.

“The course was very well received,” said Dr. Nassani. “We have heard many positive comments from students who have said this ‘new’ technology will help them prepare for the future.”

George Bauer, ’25 DDS, was excited to take the course during his final semester. “This laser program helped bridge the gap between emerging technologies and everyday dentistry,” he said. “I appreciated the opportunity to get hands-on experience with techniques that can improve patient care for my future patients.”

Dr. Bauer has been commissioned as a captain in the Army Dental Corps where he is continuing his training at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, and where he will complete a one-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency. “This training reflects the future of dentistry and will help me provide more precise and minimally invasive care for my future patients,” he said.