Continuing Education

Drug Reactions and Interactions Important in Clinical Dentistry

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Professor Karen A. Baker has been on the Dental College faculty at the University of Iowa for over 40 years and occupies a unique role in dental practice and education. She is a clinical pharmacist with a Master’s degree in clinical pharmacology and therapeutics and is focused on patient-specific dental drug therapy. She has given well over 1000 invited programs nationally and internationally and holds memberships in many dental and clinical pharmacology and therapeutics organizations. Her dental education-based pharmacy and drug therapy consultation center is the only one in the United States. She has authored many articles and abstracts and lectures extensively in pre-doctoral and graduate courses at the University of Iowa.

COURSE SYNOPSIS

Dental patients are becoming more chemically challenged which means that clinicians must consider the dental treatment impact of chronic drug therapy or chemical exposure. This program will provide clinically useful information on identification and management of intra-oral drug and chemical effects and potential drug interactions with dental drugs. Drug-induced effects such as bruxism, increased gag reflex, osteonecrosis of the jaw, candidosis and xerostomia will be examined. Chemical effects such as mucosal irritation, sensitivity and ulcerations will also be described. Extensive handouts will supplement this fast-paced lecture with emphasis on practical clinical management of medicated dental patients.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

After attending the lecture and reading the handouts, the participant should be able to:

• Describe the most common causes of xerostomia, taste disorders, oral pigmentation, osteonecrosis of the jaw, chemical sensitivity and mucositis
• Discuss dental management strategies for xerostomia, halitosis and mucositis
• List four chronic medications that limit vasoconstrictor dosage

TOPIC SCHEDULE

6:00pm – 6:45pm ……….. Salivary Gland Effects and Management

6:45pm – 7:15pm ………… Drug-induced Oral Lesions and Taste Disorders

7:15pm – 7:30pm ………… Refresment Break

7:30pm – 8:00pm ……….. Halitosis and Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

8:00pm – 8:30pm ……….. Therapeutic Agents for Selected Mucosal Diseases

8:30pm – 9:00pm ……….. How to Identify and Avoid Clinically Significant Drug-Drug Interactions in Dental Practice