Reimagine. Reinforce. Reignite Periodontal Education.
AAP Education Consultant
As educators, we are constantly balancing content depth, clinical relevance, accreditation standards, board preparation, and learner engagement. We refine lectures. We update cases. We adjust discussions to meet the needs of today’s students and residents.
But what if you didn’t have to build everything from scratch?
Under the Periodontal Education tab on perio.org, the AAP has developed a growing suite of tools designed specifically to support periodontal educators at every level — from D1 classrooms to advanced residency programs.
Structured Modules That Move Beyond Slides
Through AAP Education Access, both predoctoral and postdoctoral educators have access to carefully developed modules covering:
- Bone regeneration and bone physiology
- Tissue transplantation and ensuring safety of dental allografts
- Treating patients with disabilities
- Oral medicine
- Practice management
- Pharmacology
These are not static lecture decks. They are structured learning tools that can be deployed flexibly.
In my own teaching, I have assigned the pharmacology module to predoctoral students before class, then used in-person time to work through patient cases requiring application of that content. The result? Students arrive prepared, and classroom time becomes higher-level clinical reasoning rather than content delivery.
The same model translates seamlessly into residency education — whether for board preparation, competency reinforcement, or advanced case discussion.
3D Educational Animations: Visual Learning, Elevated
We also now have 3D educational animation models available under the Periodontal Education tab. Currently published:
- Anatomy of the periodontium
- Anatomy of peri-implant tissues
These short animated videos visually walk learners through key anatomical concepts in a way that static images simply cannot.
They can be assigned for independent viewing, incorporated into flipped-classroom design, or shown live during lecture. When teaching D1 students, I have used the animations during class while narrating and expanding on the content, then provided the recorded version for students to review afterward. The ability for learners to revisit these foundational concepts reinforces spatial understanding and long-term retention.
And this is just the beginning — additional animations are in development over the coming year. Stay tuned.
SPARK: Learning Across Programs and Training Levels
SPARK (Sharing Periodontal Advancement and Resident Knowledge) is offered live quarterly via Zoom and brings programs together from across the country to share innovation, research, and clinical insight. The next session will be held in May.
Importantly, SPARK is not just for residency programs. Predoctoral educators are also encouraged to join, learn, and bring ideas back to their classrooms. The discussions often highlight teaching strategies, clinical approaches, and program innovations that are valuable across all levels of training.
We strongly encourage you to log in live and participate in the discussion. If schedules do not allow, recordings are archived afterward in the Periodontal Education section for flexible viewing.
This is collaboration in action — an opportunity to hear directly from residents across the country as they present their work, share perspectives, and showcase how their programs are approaching clinical and academic challenges. The insights gained can spark new ideas and meaningful dialogue within your own curriculum.
Strengthening Literature Foundations
The Periodontal Literature Reference List provides a curated collection of foundational and contemporary articles organized across 24 topic areas. Whether used for journal club structure, board preparation, or resident competency development, it serves as an efficient roadmap through the evidence that defines our specialty.
It allows programs to anchor discussions in classic and contemporary literature while ensuring learners are grounded in the science that shapes our clinical decisions.
Preparing Learners for Practice
In addition to clinical and scientific training, the AAP offers dedicated practice management resources. Under Education Access, you will find Practice Management Podcasts featuring multiple speakers who address key topics such as liability and disability insurance, debt reconciliation, financial management, overhead, insurance decisions, practice growth, and other real-world considerations that new graduates will face.
These podcasts provide flexible, discussion-ready content that can be assigned in advance, incorporated into seminar discussions, or used to supplement formal curriculum. They offer practical insight from experienced voices and help bridge the gap between clinical training and the realities of running and sustaining a successful practice.
Why This Matters
Whether you teach first-year dental students or graduating residents, our responsibility as educators extends beyond procedures. We are shaping critical thinkers, evidence-based clinicians, and future leaders of the specialty.
The AAP has built tools to support that mission.
Explore the Periodontal Education section at perio.org and consider how these resources can help strengthen your program. Periodontal education evolves as we share, collaborate, and build together.
As always, I am here to serve as a resource. If you have questions, suggestions, or ideas for additional educational content, please do not hesitate to reach out.
AAP Education Consultant
As educators, we are constantly balancing content depth, clinical relevance, accreditation standards, board preparation, and learner engagement. We refine lectures. We update cases. We adjust discussions to meet the needs of today’s students and residents.
But what if you didn’t have to build everything from scratch?
Under the Periodontal Education tab on perio.org, the AAP has developed a growing suite of tools designed specifically to support periodontal educators at every level — from D1 classrooms to advanced residency programs.
Structured Modules That Move Beyond Slides
Through AAP Education Access, both predoctoral and postdoctoral educators have access to carefully developed modules covering:
- Bone regeneration and bone physiology
- Tissue transplantation and ensuring safety of dental allografts
- Treating patients with disabilities
- Oral medicine
- Practice management
- Pharmacology
These are not static lecture decks. They are structured learning tools that can be deployed flexibly.
In my own teaching, I have assigned the pharmacology module to predoctoral students before class, then used in-person time to work through patient cases requiring application of that content. The result? Students arrive prepared, and classroom time becomes higher-level clinical reasoning rather than content delivery.
The same model translates seamlessly into residency education — whether for board preparation, competency reinforcement, or advanced case discussion.
3D Educational Animations: Visual Learning, Elevated
We also now have 3D educational animation models available under the Periodontal Education tab. Currently published:
- Anatomy of the periodontium
- Anatomy of peri-implant tissues
These short animated videos visually walk learners through key anatomical concepts in a way that static images simply cannot.
They can be assigned for independent viewing, incorporated into flipped-classroom design, or shown live during lecture. When teaching D1 students, I have used the animations during class while narrating and expanding on the content, then provided the recorded version for students to review afterward. The ability for learners to revisit these foundational concepts reinforces spatial understanding and long-term retention.
And this is just the beginning — additional animations are in development over the coming year. Stay tuned.
SPARK: Learning Across Programs and Training Levels
SPARK (Sharing Periodontal Advancement and Resident Knowledge) is offered live quarterly via Zoom and brings programs together from across the country to share innovation, research, and clinical insight. The next session will be held in May.
Importantly, SPARK is not just for residency programs. Predoctoral educators are also encouraged to join, learn, and bring ideas back to their classrooms. The discussions often highlight teaching strategies, clinical approaches, and program innovations that are valuable across all levels of training.
We strongly encourage you to log in live and participate in the discussion. If schedules do not allow, recordings are archived afterward in the Periodontal Education section for flexible viewing.
This is collaboration in action — an opportunity to hear directly from residents across the country as they present their work, share perspectives, and showcase how their programs are approaching clinical and academic challenges. The insights gained can spark new ideas and meaningful dialogue within your own curriculum.
Strengthening Literature Foundations
The Periodontal Literature Reference List provides a curated collection of foundational and contemporary articles organized across 24 topic areas. Whether used for journal club structure, board preparation, or resident competency development, it serves as an efficient roadmap through the evidence that defines our specialty.
It allows programs to anchor discussions in classic and contemporary literature while ensuring learners are grounded in the science that shapes our clinical decisions.
Preparing Learners for Practice
In addition to clinical and scientific training, the AAP offers dedicated practice management resources. Under Education Access, you will find Practice Management Podcasts featuring multiple speakers who address key topics such as liability and disability insurance, debt reconciliation, financial management, overhead, insurance decisions, practice growth, and other real-world considerations that new graduates will face.
These podcasts provide flexible, discussion-ready content that can be assigned in advance, incorporated into seminar discussions, or used to supplement formal curriculum. They offer practical insight from experienced voices and help bridge the gap between clinical training and the realities of running and sustaining a successful practice.
Why This Matters
Whether you teach first-year dental students or graduating residents, our responsibility as educators extends beyond procedures. We are shaping critical thinkers, evidence-based clinicians, and future leaders of the specialty.
The AAP has built tools to support that mission.
Explore the Periodontal Education section at perio.org and consider how these resources can help strengthen your program. Periodontal education evolves as we share, collaborate, and build together.
As always, I am here to serve as a resource. If you have questions, suggestions, or ideas for additional educational content, please do not hesitate to reach out.