
Trafficking Happens Here: Human Trafficking Training for Dental Professionals
By: Kandice Swarthout, M...Kandice Swarthout, M.S., RDH, LPC
Post Date: 10/9/2026
CE Amount: 1
Categories: Practice Management ...Practice Management Training
COURSE OVERVIEW
Human trafficking is a rapidly increasing public health and safety issue in the United States. It is the fastest-rising commerce in the world, with over 200,000 minors at risk in the United States.
People are forced into labor or sexual exploitation with deception and intimidation. It is reported that up to 80% of victims are seen by a healthcare provider while captive. Often, victims will not identify themselves as such due to the fear of being further abused by their captors.
Dental care providers are perfectly positioned to identify the signs and report suspected human trafficking. By educating dental clinicians, victims of trafficking may be more likely to be rescued and receive the appropriate resources for recovery. This course will define types of trafficking, differentiate between sex trafficking and sex work, identify at-risk populations, describe how to identify and report trafficked patients, and discuss trauma-informed care.
This course is approved by the Texas Health and Human Services.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By attending this webinar you will learn how to:
-
Analyze the definition of human trafficking, populations at risk, recruitment techniques, and the various types of trafficking.
-
Differentiate between sex trafficking and sex work, as well as trafficking and smuggling, using key legal and contextual distinctions.
-
Evaluate clinical indicators and screening methods to detect potential trafficking situations, and determine when mandatory reporting is required.
-
Apply appropriate reporting procedures for suspected trafficking cases in accordance with legal and institutional guidelines.
-
Apply and integrate principles of Trauma-Informed Care into interactions with individuals who may have experienced trafficking.
-
Assess and prioritize local and national resources to support and refer individuals affected by trafficking.
COURSE SPEAKER

Kandice Swarthout is a Registered Dental Hygienist and Licensed Professional Counselor with nearly 30 years of experience in dentistry and over a decade in mental health. She is trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy, a trauma-focused treatment modality, and serves as an educator in Texas, teaching community and research courses to future dental professionals.
A passionate advocate for human trafficking awareness, Kandice is the founder of Reclaim Smiles, a free dental day for survivors living in safe houses. She is an approved provider of human trafficking training for healthcare professionals through Texas Health and Human Services and speaks nationally on trauma- informed care, clinician wellness, and mental health in dentistry.
Kandice is the author of the Mental Health Spotlight column in Today’s RDH and was awarded the Sunstar Award of Distinction in 2025 for her research focused on trafficking survivors. She is an AGD PACE-approved provider of continuing education and the co-founder of Muffins & Mimosas Dental Study Club, offering innovative, relevant CE to dental professionals nationwide.
You can follow or contact Kandice on social media at The Counselor Hygienist.
TARGET AUDIENCE
This course is intended for Dental Assistant and Hygienist from novice to advanced.
EDUCATIONAL METHOD
Self Instructional Online CE Course
IMAGE AUTHENTICITY STATEMENT
No images in this presentation have been altered.
SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY STATEMENT
Information shared in this continuing education activity is developed from clinical research and represents the most current information available from evidence-based dentistry.
KNOWN BENEFITS AND LIMITATIONS
Information in this continuing education activity is derived from data and information obtained from the reference section.
DISCLOSURE
Dental Learning presentation is made possible through the continued support of Sunstar Gum. Kandice Swarthout, M.S., RDH, LPC is a consultant and/or speaker for the following companies and/or organizations: Dental Learning, Sunstar Gum. Kandice Swarthout, M.S., RDH, LPC may receive an honorarium as compensation from the CE Supporter of this presentation and/or from Dental Learning for the time involved in preparing and delivering this online presentation.
Dental Learning is an approved AGD PACE Provider and California State Dental Board Provider of dental continuing education. Dental Learning strives to deliver balanced, objective and clinically relevant information grounded on scientific research. Lecturers who are invited to deliver Dental Learning CE webinars are advised to substantiate their claims with research-supported data and to disclose all commitments to, or relationships with, any commercial entity within the dental industry. In many cases, lecturers are sponsored by a dental manufacturing company, which provides them with support in the form of honorarium and/or dental products and equipment in order to help with clinical presentations. Prior to each live CE webinar, lecturers are made aware of the importance of delivering their presentations without commercial bias, and where appropriate, to mention a variety of different product choices that may be relevant to the subject matter of the lecture, for the educational benefit of the participant.
EDUCATIONAL DISCLAIMER
Dental Learning LLC sites offer content that include opinions, techniques, recommendations, etc. from a variety of writers and speakers that are not necessarily endorsed by Dental Learning LLC, its associates and sponsored Dental Affiliates. Viewers are responsible for verifying the validity, accuracy and relevance of all content before implementing any techniques, products or recommendations into their clinical setting. Viewers understand that Dental Learning LLC, its associates, writers, speakers and sponsored Dental Learning Affiliates are not in any way responsible or liable for any adverse events that may occur (i.e., in a clinical setting or anywhere) based on any information disseminated from Dental Learning LLC sites, including all Dental Learning sites.
The copyrights and other rights to the slides and video contained in a webinar posted on this website are owned by the speaker, Dental Learning LLC, and/or the sponsor company and/or its subsidiaries worldwide. Viewers are only authorized to view the content of the webinar (live and archive) at this Website and are not permitted to screen capture, record and/or download any content displayed in this webinar. You may not make any part of this Website available as part of another web site whether by hyperlink framing on the Internet or otherwise.
By signing up for this webinar/event or podcast, I agree to receive electronic messages, which may include educational events, promotions, product information and service offers, from Dental Learning or any of its course supporters. I understand that I may unsubscribe at any time using the opt-out link provided in every message.
AGD PACE and California State Dental Board Provider Statement
Dental Learning is an approved AGD PACE and California State Dental Board Provider of dental continuing education.
Questions regarding our Conditions of Usage, Privacy Policy, or other policy related material can be directed to our support staff by clicking on the "Support" link
FEATURED COMPLIANCE
2026 More than Compliance, OSHA through a Post-Pandemic LensBy: Lisa Mayo, RDH, BSDH...Lisa Mayo, RDH, BSDH, MHA
Manufacturer: Dental Learning

Post Date: 2/19/2026
CE Amount: 2
Categories: Osha and HIPAA Train...Osha and HIPAA Training
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 established the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) whose charge was, and still is, to enforce protective workplace safety and health standards for the U.S. work force. Healthcare workers should be just as knowledgeable in OSHA standar...
FEATURED COMPLIANCE
2026 OSHA Requirement Training and UpdatesBy: Kayce Hollingsworth,...Kayce Hollingsworth, BS, EFDA
Manufacturer: Dental Learning

Post Date: 2/19/2026
CE Amount: 2
Categories: Osha and HIPAA Train...Osha and HIPAA Training
Kayce Hollingsworth, BS, EFDA is the owner of Dental OSHA Compliance Services, LLC. She lectures and consults on dental compliance to large groups and individual offices. She is also a Territory Manager for Shofu Dental Corporation. She has over 25 years of clinical and practical experience as an E...
