Program Schedule

The Dental Laser Continuum through the IDLR Institute and the University of Tennessee provides two concurrent Tracks throughout the year. We all lead very busy lives, so in order to respect your time, two Tracks were created so you can choose the one that fits best into your schedule. The curriculum for either Schedule A or Schedule B is identical, however, depending upon availability of our faculty, there may be some variation in those leading each session. For more specific details, please see Module information below.

INTERNATIONAL DENTAL LASER RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Mastership Program in Laser Dentistry

The IDLR Institute is currently offering a one-year, 300 credit hour Dental Laser Continuum resulting in a Mastership. This intensive curriculum, includes in-depth training in Laser Safety, Hard Tissue, Soft Tissue and Surgery, Periodontics, Oral Implantology, Endodontics and PhotoBioModulation. Successful completion of this Dental Laser Continuum will award you with the following accomplishments:


Laser Safety Officer Certification

Module I (Soft Tissue Surgery) Certification

Module II (Hard Tissue Preparation) Certification

Module III (Periodontal Surgery and Oral Implantology) Certification

Module IV (Endodontics and PhotoBioModulation) Certification

Mastership Certification in Laser Dentistry through The University of Tennessee College of Dentistry

Finally, all students are expected to present a paper which will be submitted for publication in a Peer Reviewed Journal

Module II

Schedule A: October 6-9, 2016

Schedule B: October 13-16, 2016


  • Hard tissue and tooth preparation lecture
  • Hands-on practice on extracted teeth and sheep jaws with 2-3 wavelengths (Erbium, CO2)
  • Treat live patients in clinic - Alternate doctors treating and assisting 
  • Present your best soft tissue case to the class
  • EXAMINATIONS (Written and practical) 


SATURDAY DINNER:  AWARDS – Module II Certification


SUNDAY: Optional time to review and discuss your research progress with Faculty


FACULTY: Paul Gregory, DDS, MHA; Christopher Walinski, DDS; Other Faculty TBA

NOTE: Schedule is subject to minor changes. Students will be assigned Clinical case work including documentation and reports between Module II and Module III.

Module I

Schedule A: July 13-17, 2016

Schedule B: July 27-31, 2016


  • Introduction, Physics of Optics, Lasers and Light, Dental Laser Physics and Laser Safety Officer (LSO) Certification

  • Soft tissue surgery lecture – incision, excision and hemostasis using multiple wavelengths

  • Hands-on practice on sheep jaws using three different wavelengths (Diode, Erbium, CO2)

  • Treat live patients in clinic – Alternate doctors treating and assisting

  • Patients return for follow up evaluations

  • EXAMINATIONS (Written and practical)


SATURDAY DINNER:  AWARDS – Laser Safety Officer and Module I Certification

SUNDAY AM:  Discuss research projects individually with Faculty


FACULTY: Les Binkley, DDS, MS; Paul Gregory, DDS, MHA; Christopher Walinski, DDS; Other Faculty TBA


NOTE: Schedule is subject to minor changes. Students will be assigned Clinical case work including documentation and reports between Module I and Module II.

Module III

Schedule A: January 19-22, 2017

Schedule B: February 2-5, 2017


  • Laser perio lecture, observe 2-3 laser perio live surgeries (Erbium osseous surgery, Nd:YAG LANAP, and Diode with SRP) 
  • Hands-on laser perio on cadaver heads (Erbium, Nd:YAG and Diode)
  • Advanced laser perio lecture 
  • Lasers in Oral Implantology, including the treatment of peri-implantitis
  • Live implant surgery with Erbium laser


SATURDAY DINNER:  AWARDS – Module III Certification


SUNDAY AM:  Optional time to discuss your laser research progress


FACULTY: Lyusya Badyshyan, DMD; Les Binkley, DDS, MS; Eric Linden, DDS; Robert Miller, DDS; Christopher Walinski, DDS; Other Faculty TBA

NOTE: Schedule is subject to minor changes. Students will be assigned Clinical case work including documentation and reports between Module III and Module IV.

Module IV

Schedule A: April, 2017

Schedule B: April, 2017


  • Lasers in Endodontics lecture
  • Photon Induced Photoacoustic Streaming (PIPS) lecture with hands-on 
  • PhotoBioModulation (PBM) lecture, wound healing, pain management following surgery and treatment of TMD 
  • Hands-on PBM simulation with multiple wavelengths (808 and 940)
  • EXAMINATIONS


SATURDAY DINNER: Module IV Certification and awarding of Mastership Diplomas

SUNDAY AM:  Travel day


FACULTY: Praveen Arany, DDS, PhD; James Carroll, BS Eng; Melissa Marchesan, DDS, MS, PhD; Cesar Migliorati, DDS, MS, PhD; Christopher Walinski, DDS; Other Faculty TBA

NOTE: Schedule is subject to minor changes.