Course Description

Management of acute dental pain is accomplished with the use of non-opioid and opioid analgesics. However, this normally occurs outside the dental office, away from the immediate supervision of the clinician, who is often faced with the difficult task of managing patient pain while also avoiding adverse outcomes for both the patient and their communities. Thus, it is critical for clinicians to be able to accurately identify the need for pain control, individualize patient care based on this need as well as associated risks, assess the efficacy of analgesic agents prescribed and monitor for their appropriate use. This live webinar will provide participants with an overview of the pharmacology of pain control and the effective management of acute dental pain using non-opioid and opioid analgesics. Special emphasis will be given to appropriate prescribing practices for opioid analgesics.

After attending this live dental CEU webinar, your continuing education verification form will be available in your online account within 2-3 business days. Once issued, you can access your CE verification form at any time.

1. The Concept of Pain

   1. Pain Threshold and Pain Tolerance

   2. Psychosocial and Emotional Factors
   3. Pathophysiology of Pain

2. Identification of Opioid Addiction

   1. Techniques and Cues For Identifying Opioid Abuse

   2. Strategies For Managing Opioid-Abusing Patients

3. Management of Acute Dental Pain -
   Non-opioid Analgesics & Acetaminophen (APAP)

   1. Clinical Pharmacology

   2. Equianalgesic Doses

   3. NSAIDs

      1. Mechanism of Action
      2. Pharmacologic Effects
      3. Clinical Considerations - Adverse Reactions, Drug Interactions & Contraindications

4. Management of Acute Dental Pain -
   Opioid Analgesics

   1. Clinical Pharmacology
   2. Available Formulations
   3. Codeine, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone
      1. Mechanism of Action
      2. Pharmacologic Effects
      3. Clinical Considerations - Adverse Reactions, Drug Interactions & Contraindications
5. Appropriate Opioid Prescribing Practices
6. Preventing Opioid Abuse and Diversion

The educational teaching methodology used in this course is a lecture presented via live webinar in concert with an accompanying PowerPoint presentation. Both the live lecture and the PowerPoint presentation incorporate a variety of audio and visual cues to enhance audience members’ understanding and retention of key concepts. In addition, audience participation will be encouraged and facilitated by group discussions as well as question and answer periods provided for at the conclusion of each section of the live webinar."

Register

To register by phone, please call (603) 736-9200

Course Objectives

At the completion of this course the participants should be able to:

1. Describe strategies useful in developing a pain management plan that is individualized for a patient’s needs and underlying medical conditions.
2. Describe the pharmacology and mechanism of action of non-opioid and opioid analgesics, as well as their potential for abuse.
3. Explain the intended role of non-opioid and opioid analgesics in the treatment of dental pain, as well as situations which may preclude their use.
4. Understand appropriate prescribing practices to utilize in everyday clinical situations.

What People Are Saying

• "Dr. Viola was very informative with added personality"
  
  
• "Once again thank you!!! Valuable info -relevant is an understatement "
  
  
• "Comprehensive, totally engaging, relevant, up-to-date and very well delivered as always"