Reflecting on Life Interrupted and the Unseen Scars of Grief

Credit Details
This electronically delivered self-instructional program is designated for 1 hour of ADA CERP and AGD PACE CE credit by Farran Media. AGD Code: 770.

The fee to view this course is $36. This cost includes the fee to take the exam and claim your CE credits.

Synopsis:
Grief is a deeply personal and often overlooked experience in the dental profession. Dentists encounter loss in various ways—whether through the passing of a long-term patient, the loss of a colleague, the emotional burden of treating terminally ill individuals, or even career-altering events like disability or burnout. Despite these challenges, grief is rarely discussed openly in dentistry, leading many professionals to struggle in silence.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of grief as it relates to the dental field, helping participants understand its emotional, psychological, and professional impact. Using a combination of research-based insights, case studies, and interactive discussions, participants will learn about the five stages of grief and how these manifest in their work and personal lives. The course also offers practical coping mechanisms, including mindfulness, stress management techniques, and strategies for building emotional resilience.

A core component of this course is the exploration of Dr. Dua’s insights from Life Interrupted: Dr. Dua’s Survival Guide, which sheds light on resilience, adaptability, and finding meaning in adversity. Drawing from Dr. Dua’s experiences, participants will learn how to reframe challenges, develop a survival mindset, and embrace personal growth even in the face of grief. The book’s teachings provide a roadmap for overcoming setbacks and rediscovering purpose, offering invaluable lessons for dental professionals navigating loss and change. Dr. Parul Dua Makkar will share her journey and her coping mechanisms leading her to work on herself and make the changes to keep going despite the challenges.

By the end of this course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to navigate grief effectively, prevent emotional burnout, and provide compassionate support to others in the dental community.

Educational Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

• Identify the various forms of grief experienced by dental professionals, including patient loss, career setbacks, and personal challenges.
• Explore the five stages of grief and how they manifest in the dental profession.
• Learn practical strategies for managing grief, stress, and emotional exhaustion, including mindfulness, resilience-building techniques, and self-care practices.
• Understand the difference between healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms.
• Integrate key teachings from Dr. Dua’s book to develop a survival mindset and embrace personal growth during difficult times
• Reframe adversity as an opportunity for resilience and transformation.
• Develop effective communication skills to provide compassionate support to patients experiencing loss or trauma.
• Foster a supportive workplace culture by recognizing and addressing grief in colleagues and team members.
• Explore professional mental health resources, peer support networks, and strategies to prevent burnout.
• Create a personal action plan to navigate future grief and maintain emotional well-being throughout a dental career.

Description of Speaker:
Parul Dua Makkar, DDS, FACD is a general dentist currently practicing in NY. She has presented on Oral Cancer across US and Canada and has served as a wellness ambassador for the American Dental Association. Dr. Makkar lost her only sibling, a townie, Dr. Manu Dua to Oral Cancer. She hopes that Manu’s death is not just a statistic but a movement in early detection and helps save lives.

Disclosure:
The author declares that neither they nor any member of their family has a financial arrangement or affiliation with any corporate organization offering financial support or grant monies for this continuing dental education program.

Legal Disclaimer:
The CE provider (Farran Media) uses reasonable care in selecting and providing content that is accurate. The CE provider, however, does not independently verify the content or materials. The CE provider does not represent that the instructional materials are error-free or that the content or materials are comprehensive. Any opinions expressed in the materials are those of the author of the materials and not the CE provider. Completing one or more continuing education courses does not provide sufficient information to qualify the participant as an expert in the field related to the course topic or in any specific technique or procedure. The instructional materials are intended to supplement, but are not a substitute for, the knowledge, expertise, skill and judgment of a trained health care professional.

Licensure:
Continuing education credits issued for completion of online CE courses may not apply toward license renewal in all licensing jurisdictions. It is the responsibility of each registrant to verify the CE requirements of his/her licensing or regulatory agency.

State CE Requirements:
Click Here for CE requirements by state. Please note that this information is current as of the time of listing. This information is subject to change at any time from the state boards. For the most up-to-date information, please contact your state board directly.

Refund Policy
There are no refunds for Online CE courses. Please contact technical support if you run into technical difficulty.

CE Contact
For any questions, please contact Nareg Apelian, DMD, Director of Continuing Education at nareg@farranmedia.com