PHARMACOLOGY FOR THE DENTAL PRACTITIONER: AN OVERVIEW

CATEGORY 1 CORE - 3 CE CREDITS

8:15am - 11:30am

Course Outline:

Clinical pharmacology studies the effects of drugs and their use for preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In this lecture I will review the various pharmacological agents commonly used in the daily dental practice. We will discuss local anaesthetics, its mechanism of action, onset and duration of action and adverse effects and potential complications associated with its use.  Also, we will review the analgesics most commonly used in dentistry namely, acetaminophen, NSAIDs and opioids.  In this section, I will discuss the adverse effects, common drug interactions and recommended dosages.  Moreover, anti-infectives most commonly used will be discussed.  Also, since the use of herbal medications has significantly increased in the last few years, a discussion on the most common herbal medications will be provided and its effects on dental treatment.   Finally,  in this lecture we will review special topics such as geriatrics, pregnancy, kidney failure and liver disease, all situations requiring special caution on the part of the clinician when prescribing or administering drugs in the daily dental practice. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand basic concepts of pharmacology namely pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. 
2. Understand the mechanism of action of local anaesthetics, the factors that affect their onset and duration of action and the common complication associated with their administration.
3. Be informed of the analgesics currently used in dentistry.  Understand the various adverse effects and drug interactions relevant to dentistry.   
4. Understand the rational use of anti-infective agents in dentistry, both in terms of the management of existing orofacial infections and for prophylaxis against the development of bacterial endocarditis or other infection post treatment.

ANTI-INFECTIVES IN THE DENTAL OFFICE: WHAT'S NEW?

CATEGORY 1 CORE – 3 CE CREDITS

12:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Course Outline

Clinical dental practice is immersed in the primary treatment and corrective management of infectious diseases of the oral and peri-oral region. Dental practitioners are faced daily with bacterial, fungal and viral infections. It has been estimated that 10% of all anti-infectives prescriptions are related with dental infections. All antimicrobial agents may cause adverse reactions of varying degrees of severity. Oral fungal infections can occur from alterations in oral flora as a result of the extensive use of broad spectrum antibiotics, steroids, chemotherapy, immunosuppression, and inadequate oral hygiene and nutrition. Understanding the interplay of host, microorganism, and antimicrobials fosters advances in therapeutic choices and delivery systems when treating oral diseases.  Understanding the rational use of anti-infective agents in dentistry, both in terms of the management of existing orofacial infections and for prophylaxis against the development of bacterial endocarditis or other infection post treatment is crucial. In this lecture I will discuss the common antibiotics, antifungals and antivirals drugs used in the dental office. The common adverse Drug Reactions and Drug Interactions associated with these agents will be discussed. Also, in this lecture we will review special topics such as Geriatrics, pregnancy, kidney failure and liver disease, all situations requiring special caution on the part of the clinician when indicating antibiotic treatment.

Learning Objectives

1. Recognize the prevalence of the various bacterial, fungal and viral infections in the daily dental practice. 
2. Understand the rational use of anti-infective agents in dentistry, both in terms of the management of existing orofacial infections and for prophylaxis against the development of bacterial endocarditis or other infection post treatment.
3. Be informed as to potentially problematic adverse drug reactions and drug interactions arise between medications the patient may be taking for acute or chronic medical conditions and antimicrobial prescribed by the dental practitioner.
4. Understand the importance of organ function/disease status in altering the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and therapeutic action of dentally used antimicrobials and be able to appropriately modify usage and dosing of standard drugs or substitute alternative medications.

Biography:

Dr. Aviv Ouanounou, BSc, MSc, DDS, FICD, FICO is an assistant professor of pharmacology at the faculty of dentistry, University of Toronto. He received both his DDS and MSc at the University of Toronto. He teaches pharmacology to undergraduate and graduate students and is also a clinical instructor and Treatment Plan Coordinator.  Dr. Ouanounou won numerous teaching awards including “Best Teacher of the Year Award” in 2013 and 2015.  Also, Dr. Ouanounou is the recipient of the 2014-2015 prestigious Dr. Bruce Hord Master Teacher Award for excellence in teaching at the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto.  Dr. Ouanounou is a Fellow of the International College of Dentists.  He is a member of the American Academy of Pain Management and the American College of Clinical Pharmacology. He has published and authored numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals.  He also maintains a general private practice in Toronto.