Middlesex District Dental Society CE Event

Pharmacologic Management of Acute Dental Pain and the Prescription Opioid Epidemic

Speaker:  Richard S. Harold, B.S. (Pharmacy), D.M.D., JD

Proper implementation of prescription writing skills is a critical aspect of patient care in today's climate of opioid abuse and enhanced prescribing regulations. The attendee will learn about the history of pain management and dentistry's responsibility in combating the prescription drug epidemic. The basics of choosing proper analgesics are reviewed so that the attendee will understand the standards of care as they pertain to pain management. Attendees will obtain a better understanding of addiction and substance abuse problems and be better prepared to manage and counsel high-risk patients.

The presentation will discuss the scope and responsibilities of prescription writing privileges as it applies to the practice of dentistry.  Pharmacologic pain management options available to dentists will be reviewed including opioids and non-opioids.  The principles of oral dosing regimens will be presented along with side effects, contraindications and clinically significant drug-drug interactions.  Basic pain physiology will be discussed as well as the mechanisms of action of commonly prescribed analgesics.  The dentist’s responsibility in combating drug diversion will be presented including how to identify drug seeking patients.