
About This Course
Opioid abuse and deaths from overdose have reached epidemic levels in the United States. These drug classes cause significant systemic changes and carry a high risk for tolerance, dependence, and addiction. Dental providers who have the authority to prescribe opioids have a responsibility to the public to ensure appropriate pain management protocols are followed so patients do not run the risk of developing a substance abuse disorder. This course will present information and statistics about commonly misused opioids, pharmacodynamics of non-narcotic and opioid analgesics, and dental pain origin and management.
Educational Objectives
After completing this course, the reader should be able to:
- Discuss the origin of orofacial pain and appropriate pain management practices.
- Describe the pharmacodynamics (effects and mechanism of action) of non-narcotic and opioid analgesic classes of drugs.
- Recognize their responsibility and contribution to opioid use disorders and apply proper pain management techniques to help decrease the opioid epidemic in America.
Educational Objectives
ADA Credits: 2
AGD Credits: 2