Presented by
Thomas A. Viola
B.S., R.Ph., C.C.P.
View Bio
Course Description
Substance Abuse
It’s a fast-paced world and, unfortunately, many of our patients seek the assistance of substances to cope and get through their busy, trying days. However, the use and abuse of both illicit and licit substances has the potential to produce systemic adverse reactions and life-threatening medical emergencies during dental treatment.
This program will provide participants with an overview of the most common substances of abuse, along with their potential contraindications to dental therapy and the resulting necessity, if any, for dosage modifications of commonly used dental drugs. Special emphasis will be given to a discussion of patients using marijuana (cannabis) for both medical and recreational purposes.
- Substance Use, Abuse and Dependence
- Substance Dependence as a Disease
- The Biochemical Nature of Substance Use Abuse and Dependence
- The Impact of Substance Dependence on Dental Care and Patient Health
- Identifying Substance Dependence
- Dependency and Controlled Substances
- Substances of Abuse and Dependence
- Stimulants
- Cocaine, Methamphetamine, MDMA
- Prescription Drugs for ADHD, “Bath Salts”
- Depressants
- Benzodiazepines
- Rohypnol, GHB
- Hallucinogens
- Ketamine, Dextromethorphan
- Salvia, Antihistamines, Inhalants
- New on the Street
- Stimulants
- Addressing Substance Dependency
- Preventing Drug Diversion in the Dental Office
Course Objectives
At the completion of this course the participants should be able to:
- Describe techniques useful in identifying and addressing substance dependency.
- Discuss the impact of substance dependence and abuse on dental therapy and on overall patient health.
- Discuss strategies necessary for successfully managing substance-abusing patients.
- Identify the most common illicit and licit substances of abuse and dependence and discuss: Street names, Common adverse effects, Oral manifestations, Dental treatment considerations.