Attending the Spring Scientific Poster Session made possible by the California Dental Hygienists' Association was a great experience. I had the opportunity to sit in on lectures that provided us with some history of periodontics as well as valuable insights into the latest developments in dental hygiene. We learned about the classification system of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and how to apply them to clinical practice. In addition, the research poster presentations were informative in reflecting new research trends and innovations within the dental hygiene community. There was much to learn from the poster presentations. It goes to show how valuable and beneficial research is. Lastly, it was a great opportunity to network with other dental hygiene professionals, both at the CDHA and CDA, and learn about new products that can benefit all future patients. 

Below you will find the research poster presentation submitted by myself and two other piers with whom I collaborated with. Our topic focused on the oral and health side effects that were a direct result of medications and treatments for COVID-19. Through our research we learned that there were several oral and health side effects that are important, as clinicians, to be made aware of. These side effects may require modification of treatment as well as patient education, especially when risks are heightened.