Cape Cod District Dental Society presents
Pharmacologic Management of Acute Dental Pain and the Prescription Opioid Epidemic
Date: Thursday, October 26, 2023
Time: 6:00-8:30 pm
CEU: 2
Dinner Options: (Please select one)
- Glazed Pork Chop
- Salmon Marco Polo
- Chicken Cacciatore
Speaker: Richard S. Harold, B.S. (Pharmacy), D.M.D., JD
Event Overview
Proper implementation of prescription writing skills is a critical aspect of patient care in today's climate of opioid abuse and enhanced prescribing regulations. The attendee will learn about the history of pain management and dentistry's responsibility in combating the prescription drug epidemic. The basics of choosing proper analgesics are reviewed so that the attendee will understand the standards of care as they pertain to pain management. Attendees will obtain a better understanding of addiction and substance abuse problems and be better prepared to manage and counsel high-risk patients.
The presentation will discuss the scope and responsibilities of prescription writing privileges as it applies to the practice of dentistry. Pharmacologic pain management options available to dentists will be reviewed including opioids and non-opioids. The principles of oral dosing regimens will be presented along with side effects, contraindications, and clinically significant drug-drug interactions. Basic pain physiology will be discussed as well as the mechanisms of action of commonly prescribed analgesics. The dentist’s responsibility in combating drug diversion will be presented including how to identify drug-seeking patients.
Learning Objectives
- Review analgesic prescribing guidelines in connection with the effective management of acute dental pain.
- Understand the origin of the prescription opioid epidemic and dentistry’s role in combating substance abuse.
- Understand the risks of substance abuse and addiction associated with opioid analgesics.
- Learn to identify and counsel patients at risk for substance abuse.
- Understand how to counsel patients about the side effects, security, addictive nature and proper storage and disposal of controlled substances.
- Understand the legal and ethical issues of prescribing appropriate quantities of controlled substances.
- Understand the basic pharmacology and side effects of opioid and non-opioid analgesics. Determine the effectiveness of utilizing various laser wavelengths for soft and hard tissue.
Speaker Bio
Dr. Richard S. Harold is a Professor and Practice Coordinator, Department of Comprehensive Care at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Harold received his DMD degree from Tufts University, his JD from New England School of Law and his BS in pharmacy from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. Prior to joining the faculty at Tufts University, Dr. Harold owned and operated a general dentistry practice in Malden. He developed and participated in several dental public health programs in the Boston area and Honduras, Central America.
A member of the American Dental Association, American Dental Education Association, Massachusetts Dental Society, American College of Legal Medicine and the American Academy of Dental Science, Dr. Harold has a specific interest in dental-legal issues and has lectured locally and nationally. He has published several articles regarding dentistry and the prescription opioid epidemic, management of acute dental pain and ethical and legal guidelines for prescription writing. Dr. Harold’s course on the management of acute dental pain is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry and fulfills state pain management licensing requirements.