Tethered Oral Tissue Specialty Training – Dubuque, Iowa Laser Dentist
Dr. Kristen Berning with Autumn Henning CCC-SLP
To stay current with the latest and greatest knowledge in the tongue tie and lip tie field, Dr. Kristen Berning attended the TOTS Training ®️ course. TOTS stands for tethered oral tissues, which includes tongue ties, lip ties, and buccal (cheek) ties.
This training program was developed and presented by Autumn Henning MS, CCC-SLP, COM, IBCLC of Chrysalis Orofacial. As the founder of Chrysalis Orofacial, Autumn Henning is well rounded and very experienced as she is all of these things: a speech language pathologist, certified orofacial myologist, international board certified lactation consultant and an assistant professor! The primary focus of her healthcare practice and her teaching is orofacial myofunctional disorders and TOTs. Autumn Henning is considered a national leader in her field and has trained thousands of professionals in the topic of tethered oral tissues and orofacial function.
Tongue ties and lip ties are congenital formations of frenula (bands of tissue) that restrict the range of motion of the tongue or lip. 
A tongue tie is a big deal when it prevents the tongue from functioning properly in the mouth, as it often leads to problems and functional deficits.
The functional deficits can include
- a poor/shallow latch with breastfeeding or bottle feeding
- swallowing and/or feeding deficits
- speech difficulties
- problems with dentofacial and orthodontic growth (narrow arches, crowded teeth, overbite, crossbite, underbite, and other malocclusions or “bad bites”)
- other overall health concerns (TMJ/TMD, headaches, open mouth breathing, snoring, sleep apnea)
A “team approach” is very important when treating patients with orofacial myofunctional disorders and TOTs. Autumn Henning’s TOTS Training ®️ course included many health care professionals including the following:
Dr. Kristen Berning, TOTS Training ®️ Graduate
- speech language pathologists
- myofunctional therapists
- occupational therapists
- physical therapists
- International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs)
- lactation counselors, lactation consultants, WIC counselors
- dentists
- registered dental hygienists
- chiropractors
- and more
The TOTs training course focused on the team approach towards care. Dr. Kristen Berning appreciates the great network of professionals that she works with for her infant, child and adult patients with tongue and lip ties. Her network of professionals are within Eastern Iowa and the Tri-States: Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and beyond.
Dr. Kristen Berning provides support and treatment for breastfeeding and bottle feeding moms and babies dealing with lip and tongue ties. She uses a CO2 LightScalpel laser to perform lip and tongue-tie releases, including posterior tongue-ties and buccal ties. Her office is located at 4200 Asbury Road, Dubuque, IA 52002. Many moms and babies travel from Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin to her office for tongue tie assessments and treatment. To schedule an exam or ask questions about the lip and tongue-tie procedure with Dr. Kristen Berning please call us at 563-556-2711 or contact us online.