The diode laser training and certification course is designed to prepare and educate registered dental hygienists to safely and effectively operate a diode laser in advanced soft tissue management. The course will include an online didactic component, which will serve as a prerequisite in order to attend the hands-on portion of the course. The online component will include 8 hours of lectures and videos, and conclude with a post-test. All modules and a post-test must be completed with a passing grade of 75 in order to attend in-person training. The hands-on portion will include a lecture review of material followed by hands on clinical experience using diode lases on pig jaws and manikins. A clinical proficiency exam will follow the hands-on training in order to obtain a certificate of completion using diode lasers.