All oral health providers are confronted daily with oral signs and symptoms that may relate directly to underlying systemic diseases. Patients with systemic diseases require pre-operative medical and dental risk assessment as well as occasional medical consultation, coordination of care, and referrals. Improve your clinical skills as we explore the detection of systemic diseases via oral examination and thorough medical history taking. Relevant medical conditions will be presented highlighting oral manifestations, medical testing, conventional medical management and interprofessional medical-dental practice.  

Get a detailed review of the oral, head & neck cancer screening examination technique. Gain helpful recognition and diagnostic strategies. Common oral lesions and head/neck pathology observed in general and specialty dental practice will be presented, as well as updated oral cancer statistics, risk factors and screening guidelines. Oral manifestations of systemic diseases will be explored using an interactive format. Attendees will learn to recognize when additional testing and/or specialty referrals are indicated. Adjunctive and biopsy techniques will be briefly reviewed.

Sleep disordered breathing is widespread in the US, and various sleep disorders are likely evident among your patients. We will discuss relevant sleep disorders, associated systemic diseases, medical diagnostics, and oral appliance therapy (OAT) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)/snoring.  Grow in your understanding of dental & sleep medicine guidelines, dental assessment and patient eligibility. Assess protrusive bite registration methods, OAT options/selection and optional therapies, and common side effects/limitations.