Hy-PAC
Hybrid Learning
Oral Pathology Course
06.21.2025
A.T. Still University School of Dentistry and Oral Health
1500 Park Ave, St. Louis, MO 63104
8:30am-11:30am
Virtual attendees will receive a Zoom link within a week of the presentation. Please, mark your calendars!
Explore the complexities of burning mouth syndrome and oral mucosal pain in the first part of this course—then join Dr. Vargo as he shares rare, clinically significant oral pathology cases from his recent work in St. Louis. Earn 3 CEUs through MDHA by attending either in-person or online.
Plus, don't miss the chance for an exclusive tour of the dental school available to all in-person attendees after the program!
Early Bird Registration $55 until June 16th
After June 16th, $65
$20 Student Registration
Register Today
In-Person Admission
Virtual Admission
Student Admission
Objectives:
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
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Discuss burning mouth syndrome.
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Formulate a differential diagnosis for patients presenting with oral mucosal burning pain.
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Recognize rare but important oral pathologies that may arise in dental hygiene practice.
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Identify different radiographic presentations of bone lesions.
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Describe radiographic lesions using the correct terminology.
Dr. Richard J. Vargo
Guest Speaker
About the Speaker:
Dr. Richard J. Vargo is the Director of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology at the St. Louis Dental Center, as well as an Associate Professor and Director of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology at A.T. Still University – Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health, where he has been honored for his teaching excellence.
He practices as an oral and maxillofacial pathologist with the SSM Health SLUCare Physician Group at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and the Department of Dermatology. He is also an adjunct assistant professor at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and part-time faculty at Mercy Hospital General Practice Residency.
Dr. Vargo graduated with distinction from the University of Virginia in 2010 and earned his DMD from the University of Pittsburgh in 2015. He completed his Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and achieved diplomate status with the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology in 2018.
He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, the American Academy of Oral Medicine, and the International College of Dentists. Dr. Vargo also holds an MBA with a Healthcare Administration Specialization from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Dr. Vargo has lectured nationally and internationally on oral pathology topics and has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications. He maintains an active presence in the oral pathology community via his Instagram account, @STLOralPathology.
What is Missouri Hy-PAC?
The Missouri Dental Hygienists’ Political Action Committee, (MO Hy-PAC) is a voluntary non-profit committee which pools campaign contributions from dental hygienists to donate funds to potential future legislators running for office in Missouri. The PAC supports the goals of the Missouri Dental Hygienists' Association, but operates independently, and autonomously. MO Hy-PAC is not affiliated with any one political party but supports individual candidates who align with dental hygienists' interests.
The purpose of Missouri Hy-PAC is to:
1. Assist dental hygienists and others in organizing themselves for more effective political action and in carrying out their civic responsibility.
2. Endorse those candidates whose political principles promote the Missouri Dental Hygienists’ Association’s purposes, policies, and goals.
3. Raise money through fundraising for the PAC.
4. Donate money to endorsed candidates.
5. Provide volunteers to perform campaign functions for endorsed candidates.
Voting isn't enough and lobbying isn't enough!!!
Legislation affects the scope and the future of the practice of dental hygiene through the decisions made by Missouri legislators. By supporting candidates who support our efforts leads to positive legislative outcomes.
Hy-PAC is active!!!
As dental hygienists, we are now faced with a pilot program that will allow EFDA-trained dental assistants to scale teeth above the gum line, so it is important to increase PAC funds so we are prepared to financially support candidates who will have views consistent with our own.
Hy-PAC NEEDS YOU!!!
Defend the investment you have made in the dental hygiene profession by donating money and volunteering to work for quality candidates who promote the dental hygiene profession! You may donate online or by mail. (See how to donate below). Never has it been more important than it is today!
Please donate to the PAC and consider attending our upcoming fundraisers.
2023-2024 Missouri Hy-PAC Directors
Chairperson:
Diann Bomkamp (St. Louis)
Vice-Chairperson:
Linda Hoffmann (Central)
Treasurer:
Karmen Vaughn (Kansas City)
Deputy-Treasurer:
Romana Muller (St. Louis)
Ex-Officio (non-voting privileges)
MDHA President:
Karen Davis
Fundraising Committee
Linda Hoffmann
Bylaws Committee
Diann Bomkamp
Local Directors
Central Missouri: Susan Bear
Kansas City: Melissa Saad
Joplin: Becky Harshaw
Springfield: Kammi Benham-Grosse
St. Louis: Lori Crawford and Amy Krusz
Director at Large: Linda Cravens
Director at Large: Bonnie Hykes