The Department of Dental Hygiene at The University of New Mexico School of Medicine in Albuquerque strives to improve and enhance oral health care through education, research and patient care. The department is committed to providing continuing dental education (CDE) to practicing dental hygienists, dentists, dental technicians and dental assistants so that they maintain and continuously improve their knowledge and skills throughout their professional lives.
The CDE program ranges in scope from clinical and laboratory education to formal conferences with internationally recognized speakers. CDE focuses efforts on providing education to New Mexicans, but encourages national and international attendance. The program's goals are to:
Foster interdisciplinary education and promote collaborative practice for underserved communities CDE activities and services include hands-on clinical experiences, targeted training in new therapeutic techniques, lectures, panel discussions, workshops, symposia and the use of electronic technology.
Laser Certification Course - June 20, 2025 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
CEU's: $150
Local Anesthesia for the Dental Hygienist
No workshops scheduled. Please check back in the future for updates.
Local anesthesia for the practicing dental hygienist is a 5 day local aneesthesia course that prepares the practicing dental hygienist to take the CDCA-WREB-CITA Local Anesthesia Examination or equivalent examination.
A community event where students present research projects on dental hygiene current topics.
When: Tentatively scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2025
Where: Novitski Hall - 900 Yale NE
CEU's: 2
If you have questions, please contact us at or 505-272-4513.
24th Virtual Dental Public Health Educators
When: October 1 to 3, 2025
More information on our website!
The Division of Dental Hygiene hosted the Focus on the Future [PDF] Summer Symposium in 2018 and published the white paper from this symposium in the Summer of 2019. This was the beginning of a state-wide initiative to strengthen the viability of the dental hygiene profession in New Mexico, unify the voice of dental hygienists in New Mexico and improve the oral health of all New Mexicans. No current schedule.
Learn more about our Dental Hygiene and Residency Programs.