RHIP-TIDES

Rural Health Improvement for Pediatric Treatment in Dental Essential Services

July 11-13, 2026

Charleston, South Carolina
MUSC campus

Course fee
SBOHI ECE & HRSA 10K mini-grant participants: Fully covered
General dentists: $1,500
Dental hygienists and dental assistants: $500

Registration
Open April 1 - May 15

Capacity is limited to 50 general dentists. Up to 20 dental hygienists and dental assistants are welcome to attend with a participating dentist.

Help meet the oral health needs of early childhood populations

RHIP-TIDES is a three-day, CE-accredited learning collaborative designed for general dentists. Through clinical simulations, practical pediatric dentistry training, and community engagement strategies, participants will strengthen their ability to care for young children, particularly in rural communities.

Key learning areas

• Clinical techniques: Hands-on experience in simulation labs focusing on pediatric dental care.
• Health literacy and outreach best practices: Strategies to engage rural communities and improve pediatric oral health outcomes.
• Efficient clinical operations: Practical tips for streamlining your practice, including a Medicaid 101 session on optimizing reimbursement.
• Interprofessional Care: Learn how to optimize reimbursement and innovative staffing models.
• Patient management and quality indicators: Techniques to enhance patient interaction and ensure high-quality care.

Key features

• Continuing education credits: Earn CE credits while enhancing your expertise in pediatric dentistry.
• Hands-on learning: Participate in simulation labs and practical sessions on clinical techniques and practice operations.
• Collaborative approach: Learn and network with peers, experts, and community partners dedicated to improving rural pediatric dental care.
  
  

Mini-Grant Opportunity

For South Carolina dentists only
Eligible participants may apply for a $10,000 mini-grant to support early childhood oral health initiatives.
Eligibility: Active South Carolina Medicaid dental provider serving Medicaid-enrolled children.

Requirements include:

• Attend all mini-residency sessions
• Develop a quality improvement project for ages 0–3
• Meet capacity benchmarks (5 patients/month or 10% increase)
• Participate in required presentations and reporting
• Funding awarded upon proposal approval. Details provided during a Breakfast Breakout Session.

This session is eligible for ADA Continuing Education (CE) credit. Participants who attend the full session and complete the required evaluation will receive a certificate of completion for CE credit, issued in accordance with ADA CERP guidelines.

The James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine is an ADA CERP-recognized provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education.

ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.

Any concerns or complaints regarding this course should be directed to:
James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine
Continuing Education Committee
173 Ashley Ave.
Charleston, SC, 29425

This program is partially supported by several sources of funding: a cooperative agreement between the Division of Population Oral Health and the South Carolina Center for Rural and Primary Health Care at the University of South Carolina, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and The Duke Endowment (TDE).

The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by TDE, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit hrsa.gov.

Contact Us