Dental Emergencies in Correctional Settings
Dental issues are common complaints in corrections and can be painful and dangerous. Left untreated, they can lead to serious health complications, disrupt facility operations, and increase the burden on both medical and security staff. This session provides practical guidance for all correctional health professionals—nurses, physicians, dentists, and custody leaders—on recognizing and responding to urgent dental concerns. Learn about the prevalence and impact of common dental emergencies, from severe pain and swelling to infections that can compromise breathing. Discover how early intervention, triage, and communication among medical, dental, and security teams can reduce risk, improve patient outcomes, and ease operational strain. You'll leave better prepared to support timely, coordinated care—even when dental providers aren’t immediately available.
Educational Objectives
• Identify the most common dental emergencies and their underlying causes
• Describe triage strategies and first aid options that non-dental staff can provide
• Review effective referral protocols and approaches for working with dental providers and custody staff
Presenter:
Dr. Heather Koroma has been a licensed general dentist and correctional health professional for more than seven years. Before returning to private practice, she oversaw the oral health of patients at the Dallas County Jail, the second-largest jail in Texas, and at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center. Dr. Koroma is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Southwest District Dental Association, the Calcasieu Parish Dental Society, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. A mother of three, Dr. Koroma holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Prairie View A&M University and a Doctor of Dental Surgery from Texas A&M University. In 2024, she was honored with the Young Professional of the Year Award by the NCCHC, recognizing her ongoing advocacy for oral health among vulnerable populations in her community.
Webinar Fee:
$69 ($59 for CCHPs), includes access to the power point presentation, the webinar recording and CE credit – 1.00 hours for ACCME, ANCC, APA, and CCHP.
Continuing education credit (1.00 hours) available for:
Nurses: The National Commission on Correctional Health Care is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
NCCHC designates this educational activity for 1.00 contact hours. Nurses must attend the entire program to receive credit.
Physicians: The National Commission on Correctional Health Care is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
NCCHC designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Psychologists: The National Commission on Correctional Health Care is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. NCCHC maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This educational activity has been approved for up to 1.00 hours of credit.
CCHPs: Certified Correctional Health Professionals may earn up to 1.00 contact hours of Category I continuing education for recertification.
Social Workers, counselors and others: When evaluating the presentation, select the “General” category, print your certificate, and use it to report directly to your certifying board.
Disclosure Statement
In accordance with the disclosure policy of the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, everyone who is in a position to control the educational content of the Dental Emergencies in Correctional Settings webinar (including planners, speakers, and moderators) has been asked to disclose all relevant financial interests, all affiliations, or other financial relationships within 24 months (1) with the manufacturers of any commercial product(s) and/or provider(s) of commercial services discussed in an educational presentation and (2) with any ineligible companies. Such disclosure is not intended to suggest or condone bias in any presentation but rather is elicited to provide information that attendees might deem important to their evaluation of an educational presentation. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated prior to this activity. No individuals have disclosed a relevant financial relationship with any ineligible companies/commercial interests.
Financial Disclosures:
Dr. Heather Koroma has no financial disclosures. No education committee members have disclosed any financial interest or relationships with a commercial entity.
NCCHC Education Committee
Sylvie Stacy, MD, MPH, CCHP-CP (Chair)
Joel Andrade, PhD, LICSW, CCHP-MH
Sharen Barboza, PhD, CCHP-MH
David Dawdy, MA, LLP, CCHP
LaToya Duckworth, RN, BSN, MHA, CCHP-RN
Keith Ivens, MD
Kenya Key, PsyD, CCHP-MH
Andrea Knittel, MD, PhD
Susan Laffan, RN, CCHP-RN, CCHP-A
Marci MacKenzie, PhD, LCSW, CCHP
Jim Martin, MPSA, CCHP
Pauline Marcussen, DHA, RHIA, CCHP
Rebecca Rock, PsyD, CCHP-MH
Lori Roscoe, PhD, DNP, CCHP-RN
Deborah Shelton, PhD, RN-C, CCHP
Nancy White, LPC, MA
Alysse Wurcel, MD
Staff Liaisons: Toyin Alaka, Ana Olivares, Kim Sterling, MBA, CAE