Cape Cod District CE & Dinner Meeting - Pain Management for the Dentist

Pain Management for the Dentist

David A Keith, BDS, FDSRCS, DMD

Course Overview: Despite some recent, encouraging news the Opioid epidemic continues to claim lives at an alarming rate. The current characteristics of this crisis will be defined at the national and state levels. The various types of orofacial pain and the appropriate treatment strategies for each diagnosis will be discussed together with a comparison of the use of opioids, non-opioid medications, and non-pharmacologic options for safe and effective pain management. Best practice guidelines for pain control after different types of dental procedures will be evaluated. The risks, benefits, alternatives, storage, and disposal of controlled substances will be detailed. Simple means of identifying and managing patients at risk for substance misuse will be described. Regulatory and legal requirements will be documented with emphasis on the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. A Resource List for the safe use of opioids will be provided.

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to;

1. Summarize the current national and local prescription opioid crisis
2. Discuss the diagnosis of acute and chronic orofacial pain conditions and the safe and effective pain management strategies for each diagnosis
3. Evaluate the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a wide variety of pain medications including the risks of misuse and abuse associated with opioid medications
4. Define the role of the dentist and dental team in pain management, risk assessment and mitigation