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Delivering the pharmacology knowledge dental professionals need to provide the best patient care.

With over 30 years’ experience as a pharmacist, educator, speaker and author, Tom Viola, R.Ph., C.C.P. has earned his reputation as the go-to specialist for delivering quality continuing education content through his informative engaging presentations. Tom’s sellout programs provide an overview of the most prevalent oral and systemic diseases and the most frequently prescribed drugs used in their treatment. Special emphasis is given to dental considerations and strategies for effective patient care planning.

Dental Pharmacology Expert

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Well over 500 prescription and non-prescription medications have xerostomic side effects, which are compounded when these medications are used concomitantly, as is often the case for our medically complex patients. In addition, little attention is given to those systemic diseases which contribute to the development of xerostomia, and the exacerbation of its complications.

This program will provide participants with an overview of xerostomia, medications used in its management and the impact of both the disease and its treatment on dental therapy. Using case scenarios, special emphasis will be given to developing patient management strategies and techniques essential for successful treatment planning, and proper care of, patients with xerostomia.

Well over 500 prescription and non-prescription medications have xerostomic side effects, which are compounded when these medications are used concomitantly, as is often the case for our medically complex patients. In addition, little attention is given to those systemic diseases which contribute to the development of xerostomia, and the exacerbation of its complications.

This program will provide participants with an overview of xerostomia, medications used in its management and the impact of both the disease and its treatment on dental therapy. Using case scenarios, special emphasis will be given to developing patient management strategies and techniques essential for successful treatment planning, and proper care of, patients with xerostomia.

The challenge faced by all clinicians today is to provide safe and effective dental treatment to their medically complex patients. It is imperative that all dental practitioners be equally aware of the medical considerations of agents commonly used in the practice of dentistry as well as the dental considerations of the medications frequently prescribed for the treatment of multiple systemic diseases.

This program will present an overview of dental pharmacology for the whole dental team. Special emphasis will be given to those medications prescribed or administered in the practice of dentistry whose actions, effects, or interactions with other drugs may impact treatment of systemic disease.

Improper and inappropriate use of local anesthetic agents has the potential to produce life-threatening, systemic adverse reactions. This program will provide participants with an overview of the pharmacology and therapeutics of the injectable and topical local anesthetic agents commonly used in dental practice.

Special emphasis will be given to the rationale for the use of vasoconstrictors in medically complex patients.

Many states have legalized cannabis (marijuana) for medical use and for recreational purposes. It has been promoted as a replacement for opioids in the treatment of pain and even as a substitute for opioids in the treatment of addiction.

Yet, due to its status as a Schedule I substance, there has been relatively little research regarding cannabis and its medicinal uses, especially in dentistry. This one-hour course will introduce the dental professional to the most current information regarding cannabis, including its various dosage forms, routes of administration, adverse effects, and effects on dental treatment.

Many states have legalized cannabis (marijuana) for medical use and for recreational purposes. Despite this rise in social and legal acceptance, public health concerns regarding the use of cannabis remain, especially among dental professionals. Cannabis has been promoted as an adjunct to local anesthetic agents in the management of peri-operative pain and as a replacement for nitrous oxide in the management of peri-operative anxiety.

It has also been promoted as an adjunct to non-opioid analgesics and opioid analgesics in the management of postoperative dental pain and even as an adjunct to Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for opioid and other addictions. This two-hour course will provide an overview of the use of local anesthetic agents, and non-opioid and opioid analgesics in the management of peri-operative and post-operative dental pain and will explore the rationale for the potential use of cannabis in dentistry.

Management of acute odontogenic pain is accomplished with the use of opioid analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, and, occasionally, cannabis.

However, the respiratory depressive effects of opioid analgesics, the anti-inflammatory effects of NSAIDs, the potential hepatoxic effects of acetaminophen and the immunosuppressive effects of cannabis might actually worsen the progression of, and the comorbidities associated with COVID-19 infection. This program will explore the rationale for the continued use of these agents in the management of odontogenic pain in patients who are at risk for or who have been infected with COVID-19.

As a professional speaker, Tom has presented continuing education courses to dental professionals internationally since 2001. Meeting planners agree that Tom is their choice to educate audiences within this specialty.

Bring Tom to speak at your next event!

“This is by far the BEST presentation I’ve been to in 30 years of practice! I didn’t want it to end! Really!!!”

~ R.L., Hinman Dental Meeting

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