DENTAL HYGIENE REFRESHER COURSE
Confident Skills. Personalized Path.
Since 2002, Dr. Kelly Tanner has customized intensive refresher courses for dental professionals returning to practice and preparing for exams. Hands-on training, strategic mentorship, and the expertise you need to feel ready.
Dental Hygiene ADEX Prep and Refresher Programs
Hands-on clinical training in Williamsburg, VA. All programs are AGD PACE-approved, with payment plans available.
For Licensed Dental Hygienists and U.S. Trained Dentists
Essentials
For licensed hygienists who want a focused one-day skills refresh.
Small group · 1 day hands-on clinical + 11 hours online = 19 CE hours
$1,495
Clinical Cohort
For hygienists returning to practice and ADEX candidates. Includes ADEX exam prep or clinical confidence training.
Max 6 students · 2 days in person + 11 hours online + 27 CE hours
$2,695
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Private 1:1 Refresher
For licensed hygienists and U.S. trained dentists who want a program built entirely around them.
One-on-one · 2 days in person + online core = 27 to 45 CE hours, set by your intake
$3,495
$3,495 for 27 hours
$3,895 for up to 45 hours
Not sure which program is right for you?
Complete our short intake form, and we’ll help you find the best option for your goals.
Compare Your Options
| Essentials | Clinical Cohort | Private 1:1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $1,495 | $2,695 | $3,495 to $3,895 |
| CE hours | 19 | 27 | 27 to 45 |
| In person | 1 day | 2 days | 2 days |
| Online | 11 hrs | 11 hrs | 11 to 29 hrs |
| Group size | Up to 6 | Up to 6 | Just you |
| Online courses | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hands-on instrumentation and radiography | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Skills assessment and plan for your next steps | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Second clinical day | – | Yes | Yes |
| Day 2 focus: clinical confidence or ADEX exam prep | – | By session date | Your choice |
| Online electives | Add-on | Add-on | Included in the 45-hour path |
| One-on-one instruction on your dates | – | – | Yes |
| Private coaching hour | Add-on | Add-on | Included |
Not sure which fits? Take the 2-minute intake and I'll recommend your path.
For Internationally Trained Dentists
ADEX Exam Prep: Foreign-Trained Dentists
For internationally trained dentists pursuing the Florida or Indiana RDH pathway and preparing for a first ADEX attempt.
One-on-one · 2.5 days in person + 11 hours virtual · 31 CE hours
$6,500
Foundational skills program, not a remediation course. Not a fit for Florida candidates who did not pass the ADEX. Tested elsewhere? Contact me first.
Kelly Tanner, PhD, RDH
Meet Your Mentor
30 years of clinical expertise, academic leadership, and a proven track record of transforming dental professionals.
What Sets Dr. Tanner Apart
When you enroll, you're getting more than a course; you're getting mentorship from someone who has shaped dental hygiene education nationally and led clinical programs at the highest levels.
Proven Academic Leadership
Served as Program Director, Clinical Coordinator, and faculty at multiple accredited institutions—Dr. Tanner has helped launch and lead dental hygiene programs, trained faculty, and overseen clinical curriculum at the highest level.
Clinical Expertise with Real-World Perspective
With over 29 years in active practice, she understands the day-to-day challenges hygienists face—and how to elevate your skills in ways that feel doable and effective.
Trusted Industry Consultant
Collaborates with top companies to deliver training on the most current techniques, tools, and technologies in dentistry.
Published Thought Leader
Lead contributor for DrBicuspid and author in Teledentistry and Peak Performance, shaping national conversations around dental hygiene and professional growth.
Award-Winning Educator
Honored with numerous accolades, including the ADHA & Johnson & Johnson Award for Excellence in Dental Hygiene, the Denobi Award, and recognition by Dentistry Today as a Top Dental Consultant for 6 years in a row.
Hear from Recent Students
Student Success
“This course rocked my world. If you're looking for something educational, dynamic, and deeply inspiring—buckle up. From the start, Dr. Kelly Tanner brought infectious energy and created a space that felt personal, powerful, and genuinely fun.
This wasn’t just content delivery—it was real-time connection, customized learning, and meaningful feedback that pushed me to think bigger and grow stronger. The mix of hands-on examples, engaging stories, and actionable insights made every concept click.
Bottom line? It changed how I think, lead, and show up. If you're ready for a course that feels more like a transformation than a class, this is it.”
-Tina V.
I cannot recommend this refresher course enough! It has been 7 years since I practiced, and I needed a refresher to prepare for the ADEX exam. Dr Kelly Tanner was personable, fun, supportive, and VERY knowledgeable in all areas. Her coaching was exactly what I needed to build my muscle memory and confidence back up. I left the course feeling fully prepared to take the exam and ready to get back into the operatory!”
-Ashley G.
“I was nervous about returning to the dental hygiene field after a 7-year hiatus. Using a combination of an online webinar, face-to-face Zoom instruction, and in-person clinical training, Dr. Kelly Tanner crafted a dental hygiene refresher course that was custom to my needs and concerns. She is authentic, kind, and very knowledgeable. I feel ready and excited to start working in dental hygiene again. Thank you, Dr. Tanner!"
-Mikell B.
Not sure where to start? Find the program that fits where you are right now.
Which Program is Right For You?
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Choose Essentials if you:
Hold an active license and want a focused, one-day refresh of your hands-on skills
Want to brush up on instrumentation, ultrasonics, radiography, and vital signs in a small group
Want the full online core, including Medical Emergencies with its own certificate
Don’t need ADEX exam prep or a second clinical day
Want the most affordable way to get back in front of an instructor
19 CE hours: 1 day in person + 11 hours online.
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Choose the Clinical Cohort if you:
Hold an active license and want two full days of hands-on practice
Are preparing for the ADEX exam, or want to rebuild your clinical confidence before you go back to patients
Learn well alongside a few peers, with no more than 4 students per instructor
Want the full online core, including Medical Emergencies with its own certificate
Want more time in the clinic than Essentials offers, at a group price
27 CE hours: 2 days in person + 11 hours online.
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Choose Private 1:1 if you:
Are a licensed hygienist or U.S. trained dentist who wants a program built entirely around you
Want every minute of coaching focused on your skills and goals
Need to schedule on your own dates instead of a set cohort date
Have specific skills or requirements you need to address and want a plan designed around them
Want online electives and a private coaching hour included
27 to 45 CE hours, set by your intake: 2 days in person + online core, with electives as needed.
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Choose ADEX Exam Prep for Foreign-Trained Dentists if you:
Earned your dental degree outside the U.S. and are pursuing a dental hygiene license through Florida’s or Indiana’s pathway for internationally trained dentists
Are preparing for the ADEX Dental Hygiene exam
Want to learn the U.S. dental hygiene process of care, from assessment through documentation
Want one-on-one coaching on U.S. hygiene skills and patient care
Want a program shaped around your training, background, and exam date
One-on-one: 2.5 days in person + 11 hours online · 31 CE hours. This is a foundational skills program, not a remediation course. Start by requesting a consultation so we can confirm it fits your path.
Still not sure? Schedule a discovery call and Dr. Tanner will help you choose the right path.
Frequently Asked Questions
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It depends on your state. Every state board sets its own rules for returning to practice, and they change. Next Level Dental Hygiene courses are clinical skills training and CE. They are not delivered through a CODA-accredited program, so in states that require one for reinstatement, Virginia among them, they will not satisfy that requirement on their own. Before you enroll, call your state dental board and ask exactly what they accept. If you’re not sure what to ask, take the intake and we’ll help you figure out your next step.
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All in-person training takes place in Williamsburg, Virginia. You’ll get the full address and arrival details when you enroll. The online courses are self-paced, so you can complete them from anywhere before your clinical days.
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Yes. Next Level Dental Hygiene is AGD PACE-approved, and most state boards accept AGD PACE credit. Whether your hours count is up to your state board, so it’s worth confirming with yours. Your certificate lists your live clinical hours and online hours separately, which makes reporting easier if your board tracks them differently. The Medical Emergencies course comes with its own separate certificate.
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Yes. When you check out, you can choose to pay over time with Klarna or Afterpay. You’ll see your payment options and terms right at checkout, and approval is handled by the provider you choose.
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Yes. Essentials and Clinical Cohort students can add online electives at a reduced price. Topics include GLP-1 medications, diabetes drugs, vaping, peri-implant care and more. Private 1:1 students on the 45-hour path have electives included, chosen to fit their goals.
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Passing depends on your performance on exam day, so no course can guarantee a result. What you’ll get is mock examinations and direct clinical feedback that build your confidence and teach you how to self-correct during the exam.
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Unfortunately, no. This program builds foundational clinical skills and is not an approved remediation course through the Florida Board of Dentistry. Please contact the Florida Board of Dentistry to find out which programs they accept. If you’re seeking licensure in a different state, contact us first and we’ll look at your options together.
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Item descriptioTuition is paid in full at enrollment and is non-refundable. If you need to change your dates, you can transfer once to a future course within 12 months, as long as you give at least 14 days’ notice before your first clinical day. If you don’t attend and haven’t given notice, your tuition is forfeited. If Next Level Dental Hygiene cancels or reschedules a course, you can choose a full refund or a transfer to any future date.n
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Please bring:
Scrubs
Clinical jacket
Dental headlight (required, since there are no overhead operatory lights)
Loupes, if you have them
Provided for you:
Instruments and materials
You’re welcome to bring your own instruments if you’d like to practice sharpening them
Before your first clinical day:
Finish the online core courses
