Freeing the Tongue with Dr. Elizabeth Turner

Dr. Elizabeth Turner’s course, “Freeing the Tongue,” covers various topics related to oral restrictions, tongue-ties, and their impact on patients of all ages. The course includes a review of oral anatomy, differentiation between tongue-tie and normal anatomy, assessment of symptoms in newborns, understanding the mechanics of tongue impact on growth and development, long-term symptoms of oral restrictions, and the role of hygienists in recognizing them. The course also emphasizes a team approach to care and collaboration with other providers such as IBCLCs, OTs, SLPs, Osteopaths, DCs, CSTs, and OMTs. Treatment options, including frenectomy, and post-operative management are discussed, along with communication and collaboration with parents for informed consent and providing comfort. The course aims to help participants recognize oral restrictions, communicate with other providers, and consider incorporating frenectomy treatment into their practice, while understanding the impact of oral restrictions on patients.