Treating Between the Lines (3 CEs)

Course Description:

Treating Between the Lines: Understanding Rx and Illicit Drug Abuse (3 CEs) Ronni Brown, DDS, MPH, FADI Substance abuse is at an all-time “high” in this country with an estimated 1 out of every 10 Americans addicted to prescription or illicit drugs. As dental professionals, we must awaken to the reality that many of our patients have substance-use disorders and that our examination findings of advanced caries, severe hyposalivation, and poor plaque control are often the effects of depressant, stimulant, and opioid abuse. Learn how to recognize the clues of substance abuse from a routine dental examination, discuss your concerns and suspicions with patients, develop and deliver safe and effective dental treatment, and manage pain with non-opioid medications. *Note: Course content does not include marijuana Learning Objectives - How to identify the three categories of drugs (opioids, depressants, and stimulants) most abused by patients. - How to recognize the physical, behavioral, and oral clues of substance misuse during a routine dental examination. - How to discuss substance misuse with patients using motivational-interviewing techniques. - Office policies that safeguard both patients and practices. - Evidence-based practices for managing dental pain with non-addictive analgesics. - How to develop treatment plans, using a caries-risk assessment for patients with substance-use disorders. Style: Lecture Cost: $110.00 - $220.00 Intended Audience: G, S, DH, DA, DL, OP Conflict of Interest / Financial Disclosure: N/A