What Sets Dr. Sharma Apart

Dr. Sharma focuses on translating evidence into actionable clinical systems. Her programs are designed not just to inform but to change how dental teams diagnose, plan, and deliver care.

Her expertise in evidence-based decision-making allows her to break down complex guidelines into clear, clinically relevant protocols that can be implemented immediately.

Book Dr. Sharma to Speak

Dr. Silky Sharma, RDH, Ed.D., has been an Associate Professor at Harper College in Illinois since 2010. She holds a master’s degree in Evidence-Based Decision Making from the University of Illinois and a doctorate in Education from Grand Canyon University. With over 22 years of clinical experience in a perio-focused practice, she continues to provide patient-centered care and is a nationally recognized CE speaker in evidence-based periodontology and non-surgical periodontal therapy.

Dr. Sharma serves as a clinic coordinator and teaches Periodontology for Dental Hygienists, Advanced Instrumentation, Perioscopy, Scientific Literature, Pain Management, Head and Neck Anatomy, and Oral Pathology. She presents continuing education programs nationally and internationally, is a consultant examiner for the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX), and has published in peer-reviewed journals.

Webinars

In Person Seminars

Past Presentations

Speaking Packet

Course Description:

This course is designed for dental professionals and delivers critically appraised, evidence-based strategies for accurate periodontal and peri-implant diagnosis. It provides a chronological overview of the assessment phase of care, including identifying, diagnosing, communicating, treating, and stabilizing periodontitis through non-surgical periodontal therapy. The course will also review the latest 2023 implant maintenance guidelines, focusing on prevention, early detection, and management of peri-implant conditions.

Course Objectives:

  • Describe the components of a comprehensive periodontal assessment phase.
  • Apply the 2017 AAP/EFP classification system to stage and grade periodontitis.
  • Differentiate between periodontal and peri-implant disease classifications.
  • Develop evidence-based treatment plans for patients with periodontal and implant conditions.
  • Utilize a clinical decision-making framework for periodontal diagnosis and treatment sequencing.
  • Utilize a clinical decision-making framework to sequence care, including maintenance strategies based on the latest implant maintenance recommendations.

Course Description:

This course will provide dental providers with a comprehensive review of advanced instrumentation to avoid burnishing and effectively remove calculus during Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy. Attendees will engage in hands-on activities using typodonts to adapt over forty advanced instruments. The content will incorporate discussions on dental anatomy and periodontal assessment to determine the best options for advanced instruments. Emphasis will be placed on reviewing different types of advanced instruments for safe and effective calculus removal during patient care.

Course Objectives:

  • Review the components of a comprehensive periodontal assessment.
  • Review dental anatomy related to periodontal instrumentation for NSPT.
  • Identify designs of advanced instruments and perform hands-on adaptation on a typodont.
  • Apply hands-on instrumentation techniques while evaluating instrument design and usage.
  • Identify various advanced instruments and ultrasonic tips to efficiently remove calculus.
Course Description: This course explores evidence-based strategies for periodontal and implant maintenance through the intentional integration of technology and technique. Subgingival glycine powder air polishing is highlighted using clinical cases and videos. The program includes a focused comparison of magnetostrictive and piezoelectric ultrasonics. The session concludes by reinforcing the power of pairing advanced instrumentation with intentional technology use to enhance efficiency and patient outcomes.

Course Objectives:

  • Describe Evidence-Based Decision Making (EBDM) principles and its relevant to periodontal
    and implant maintenance.
  • Explain the clinical rationale and mechanism of action of subgingival glycine powder air
    polishing.
  • Differentiate magnetostrictive and piezoelectric ultrasonic technologies based on
    movement patterns and clinical adaptation.
  • Integrate air polishing, ultrasonic technology, and advanced hand instrumentation to
    improve efficiency and effectiveness in periodontal and implant maintenance therapy

Course Description:

This course provides a practical framework for implementing a perio-focused hygiene program that enhances clinical outcomes and patient compliance. Topics include the role of each team member, evidence-based assessment, periodontal classification, treatment planning using the guidelines, and communication techniques that facilitate patient conversations and promote treatment acceptance. This case-based seminar offers a practical framework for elevating the standard of periodontal care
within the hygiene department.

Course Objectives:

  •  Identify each team member’s role in creating a perio-focused program that supports
    collaborative, patient-centered care.
  • Review clinical data to support evidence-based decision-making in periodontology for dental
    hygiene.
  • Discuss structured assessment strategies to enhance the diagnostic phase of care.
  • Apply periodontal classifications to ensure accurate diagnosis and care planning.
  • Develop customized treatment plans that align with clinical findings and guidelines.
  • Demonstrate effective communication methods that increase patient understanding and
    treatment compliance.
Course Description: This course is crafted to provide dental professionals with a profound comprehension of the periodontal classification system and its application through a case-based approach. Diverse case studies will be used to distinguish various stages and grades, supported by rationales grounded in the criteria of the new classification system. The course content will immerse attendees in the intricacies of periodontal diseases, guiding them through various stages of diseases and offering practical insights into decoding complex cases through real-world examples.

Course Objectives:

  • Define the key components of the 2017 periodontal classification system.
  • Explain the nuances of different classifications and their application for treatment
    planning.
  • Develop skills in extracting relevant case information, assessing risk factors, and discussing
    strategies to identify periodontal classification based on individual patient scenarios.
  • Apply case-based learning by analyzing and interpreting diverse periodontal cases.
Course Description: This course is designed for dentists and hygienists and will offer critically appraised, evidence-based information on identifying signs and symptoms of periodontal disease. It will provide chronological information on the assessment phase of care to develop steps in identifying, treating, and stabilizing periodontitis utilizing non-surgical periodontal therapy.

Course Objectives:

  • Explain the different levels of evidence.
  • Explain the role of biofilm in periodontal destruction.
  • Discuss the components of a comprehensive periodontal assessment.
  • Identify the signs of periodontal disease.
  • Identify the most effective ways to control oral biofilm.
  • State the relationship between dental calculus and periodontal disease.
  • Identify the risk factors for periodontitis.
  • Describe how to evaluate each component of a comprehensive periodontal assessment
Course Description: This course focuses on advanced instruments essential for performing high-quality scaling and root planing (periodontal debridement). The course content will highlight several advanced instruments and their design features, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of their unique strengths. The case study will be utilized to integrate the application of instruments to enhance and achieve superior periodontal treatment outcomes.

Course Objectives:

  • Explain the different components of Evidence-Based Decision Making (EBDM) and levels of
    evidence
  • List the components of a comprehensive periodontal assessment.
  • Describe key advanced hand instruments used in scaling and root planing.
  • Identify the design of instruments to determine their appropriate clinical applications.
  • Identify advanced instruments to remove calculus efficiently using a case study.
  • Identify various hand instruments to remove burnished calculus.
Course Description: This evidence-based course will provide dental professionals with current information on various procedures/products related to providing NSPT. The course content will include the most current research and guidelines related to NSPT, providing valuable insight into effectively treating and stabilizing periodontal disease. The course will include take-home messages from critically appraised high-quality evidence on the following topics: • Oral Hygiene • Antibiotics with SRP • Ultrasonics versus Hand Scaling • Glycine Powder Air polishing • Magneto versus Piezo • Lasers with non-surgical therapy • Irrigations • Antimicrobials • Perio Protect

Course Objectives:

  • Explain the different levels of evidence.
  • Explain the different components of Evidence-Based Decision Making (EBDM).
  • Review the fundamentals of various adjunct procedures used during NSPT.
  • Discuss the latest critically appraised research on each adjunct procedure.
  • Review the current guidelines related to adjunct procedures during NSPT.
  • Critically analyze the efficacy and effectiveness of various adjunct procedures for NSPT.
  • Synthesize the information and be able to create comprehensive treatment plans.

Course Description:

This course utilizes a series of videos and is designed for dental providers looking to refresh their basic knowledge of administering local anesthetic techniques. It provides step-by-step guidance
and in-depth knowledge of administering local anesthetics to achieve profound anesthesia

Course Objectives:

  • Review of the trigeminal nerve focusing on maxillary and mandibular branches.
  • Review the local anesthetic armamentarium.
  • Identify the landmarks, insertion sites, needle insertion depth, and amount of anesthetic to
    deposit for each injection.
  • Discuss step-by-step techniques using video illustrations for the following injections: PSA, MSA,
    ASA, IO, GP, NP, IAN, B, Lingual, Mental/Incisive.
Course Description: This case-based course is designed for dental providers and focuses on the knowledge and skills essential for assessing the effectiveness of non-surgical periodontal therapy. It will discuss a systematic approach to treatment planning, grounded in the findings of the re-evaluation process, enabling clinicians to make informed decisions about additional therapy or referrals and effectively monitor patients for ongoing periodontal maintenance.

Course Objectives:

  •  Review the re-evaluation steps in non-surgical periodontal therapy and its role in achieving longterm periodontal health.
  • Discuss the critical clinical and radiographic parameters used to assess the effectiveness of
    therapy.
  • Discuss the principles of successful non-surgical periodontal therapy outcomes.
  • Develop a systematic approach to treatment planning based on the re-evaluation findings,
    including when to consider additional therapy or referrals and how to monitor patients for
    ongoing periodontal maintenance.

Course Description:

This case-based course is designed for dental providers and focuses on the knowledge and skills essential for assessing the effectiveness of non-surgical periodontal therapy. It will discuss a systematic approach to treatment planning, grounded in the findings of the re-evaluation process, enabling clinicians to make informed decisions about additional therapy or referrals and effectively monitor patients for ongoing periodontal maintenance.

Course Objectives:

  • Describe the pathophysiology of the systemic conditions: diabetes, smoking, cardiovascular
    disease, preterm births, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, and obesity.
  • Describe periodontal disease in relation to diabetes, smoking, cardiovascular disease, preterm
    births, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, and obesity.
  • Describe periodontal pathogens and their association with systemic conditions.
  • Explain the connection between systemic disease and oral health.
  • Discuss strategies to increase patient compliance.

Course Description:

This case-based course is designed for dental providers and focuses on the knowledge and skills essential for assessing the effectiveness of non-surgical periodontal therapy. It will discuss a systematic approach to treatment planning, grounded in the findings of the re-evaluation process, enabling clinicians to make informed decisions about additional therapy or referrals and effectively monitor patients for ongoing periodontal maintenance.

Course Objectives:

  •  Identify characteristics of peri-implant health, mucositis, and peri-implantitis, applying the 2018 AAP
    Classification.
  • Review the 2023 implant maintenance guidelines from the associations.
  • Define key terminology and understand the indications, contraindications, and techniques for
    effective glycine powdered air polishing while comparing its benefits with other methods.
  • Discuss patient education strategies to improve compliance and enhance implant maintenance
    outcomes.
Course Description: This course focuses on mastering provider-patient communication to improve acceptance of periodontal therapy. Learn practical strategies to address concerns, build trust, and convey the value of treatment to inspire action and enhance oral health outcomes.

Course Objectives:

  •  Identify effective communication techniques to foster patient trust.
  • Address and overcome common objections to periodontal therapy.
  • Clearly explain the benefits of non-surgical periodontal treatment.
  • Implement strategies to boost case acceptance and patient adherence

These courses can be offered individually or in combination, in-person or via webinar. Please feel free to call or email me at silkysharma@dantece.com for any questions

Download Speaker Packet

Past Presentations

  • Chicago Midwinter Meeting
  • Rocky Mountain Dental Convention
  • Mid Continental Dental Convention
  • Ninth District Dental Society
  • Charter Oak Dental Convention
  • Dimensions of Dental Hygiene Expo
  • Wyoming Dental Convention
  • Southeast Dental Society — Missouri
  • Dental Toasters
  • HuFriedy Group CE Courses
  • Patterson Dental CE Courses
  • Old Orchard Perio Study Club
  • Difranco Perio Study Club
  • Integrity Dental Group 
  • Aces4CE
  • Concord Dental Seminars
  • Dante CE Seminars

Reviews

Good speaker. Good voice modulation makes hearing interesting. Really enjoyed the real world examples
Webinar Attendee
Dr. Sharma is easy to understand & covers all levels of hygiene. Newly graduated hygienist and experienced hygienist
Webinar Attendee
Excellent speaker , easy to follow and understand
Webinar Attendee
Great course!!I Now feel more confident giving local anesthesia
Webinar Attendee
Great webinar. Lots of good information!
Webinar Attendee
Great refresher course on exact application (depth of injection and definitive point of insertion) and good visual aids 😊 Also good review of anatomy!
Webinar Attendee
The strategic layering and integration of various debridement instruments, as demonstrated, offered a comprehensive approach to instrumentation—each instrument was thoughtfully introduced and applied (via video) within the context of a patient case to illustrate clinical decision-making and enhance procedural effectiveness.
Webinar Attendee
Learning how other hygienists go through their SRP appointments and to try something different that could be more effective
Webinar Attendee

Book Dr. Sharma to Speak

Available nationwide for Conventions, State Dental Meetings, Study Clubs, Corporate CE Programs, Lunch and Learns, and Webinars.

Contact Dr. Sharma