Opiods...when are they necessary? Examine strategies for effectively managing dental pain with opioid and non-opioid analgesics, review guidelines for appropriately prescribing opioid analgesics, and explore techniques for identifying and managing potential opioid analgesic abuse. In this lecture we will explain the pharmacology and mechanism of action of opioid and non-opioid analgesics, describe the latest evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the pharmacologic management of dental pain, and discuss appropriate prescribing practices for opioid analgesics to utilize in everyday clinical situations.

Armed with limited, often biased information and faced with rising prescription drug costs, many of our patients choose to self-medicate with a variety of prescription drugs, OTC drugs, supplements and substances. This program will evaluate the implications of this self-medication on dental therapy and identify strategies for managing these patients. Explore the most common prescription and non-prescription drugs used to self-medicate and their potential dental considerations. Additionally, we will discuss techniques useful in identifying self-medication and obtaining a complete and accurate medication history.

Unfortunately, very little information is available about the safety of the active and inactive ingredients present in cannabis products used for vaping. This program will provide participants with an overview of cannabis, vaping, and overall systemic adverse effects. We will describe the pharmacology of cannabis, including its mechanism of action, routes of administration, and available formulations, the oral and systemic complications encountered by patients who vape, and explain currently available treatment strategies and patient care planning techniques for patients who vape cannabis.

This program will provide participants with an overview of diabetes mellitus, the arsenal of medications used in its treatment and the impact of both the disease and its treatment on dental therapy. Special emphasis will be placed on the new glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists, such as Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide). Additionally, this course will describe the treatment modifications, patient management strategies and care planning techniques recommended for dental patients with diabetes.

Anti-infective agents that reduce the risk of infection after manipulation of oral tissues are often used in dental care. We will discuss the anti-infective agents available for use in dentistry, including adverse effects and contraindications, as well as the current guidelines for prophylaxis of infective endocarditis and joint replacement infection. Additionally, this course will describe the pharmacology of the most common anti-infective agents and explore the principles of antibiotic usage and administration.

This program explores the family of cardiovascular diseases (including hypertension, coronary artery disease, hyperlipidemia, and congestive heart failure) and the medications used in their treatment. Understand patient management strategies essential for successful treatment planning. Special emphasis will be given to newly approved anticoagulant agents and their effect on dental therapy. This course will explain the mechanism of action of these medications along with adverse reactions and their dental implications.