Social isolation, loneliness, job loss, and trauma have sparked a surge in methamphetamine abuse worldwide. As a dental professional, are you prepared to treat patients in your practice who are addicted to methamphetamine, the second most widely abused illegal drug in the world? Learn how o recognize the clues of methamphetamine abuse during a routine dental examination and how to develop realistic treatment plans for patients whose lives and smiles have been affected by this drug. After this course, you will be able to: recognize the signs of methamphetamine use during a routine dental examination; incorporate principles of harm reduction to increase patient safety and decrease practice liability; and treat the oral effects of methamphetamine using a caries-risk assessment.

Management of acute odontogenic pain is accomplished through a clinical approach that successfully incorporates both opioid and non-opioid analgesics. Dental clinicians must apply best practices when assessing pain control and education patients on opioid-associated risks and safety. This program will provide an overview of techniques for effectively managing dental pain and appropriately prescribing analgesics as well as strategies for identifying and managing substance-use disorder. This course fulfills the Illinois Safe Opioid Prescribing Practices requirement and provides 3 hours of the DEA MATE training. After this course, you will be able to: describe the pharmacology of opioid and non-opioid analgesics as well as situations that may preclude their use; discuss appropriate prescribing practices for opioid analgesics; and describe techniques useful in identifying substance-use disorder.

The "Wonderful World of Special Care" is a stimulatory course that leaves learners with a newly formed empathy for our patients as they discover methods to adapt to patients needs. "Special Care Show and Tell" is just like in kindergarten. Dr. Brooke will show you her "toys" that make dentistry easier. She will discuss the pros and cons of each. Though focused on special care, concepts in this course can be helpful for all. After this course, you will be able to: alter the environment to influence behaviors; assess various oral hygiene products; and communicate more effectively with diverse groups of people.

Why are women important in dentistry? Because WGSD (Women Get Stuff Done!) How can we manage those difficult conversations with our teams, with each other, and with the male counterpart? Managing conversations with each other and with our patients depends on personalities, beliefs, and listening skills. As a woman in this field, Dr. Batoon will share the tools that can inspire and encourage work culture and keep you passionate about dentistry. After this course, you will be able to: navigate and encourage healthy dialogue toward patient-centric care; manage conversations within teams to build a positive work culture; and develop tools that accommodate our different personalities, skill levels, and beliefs.

You went to dental school so that you wouldn't have to stress and work long hours? How's that working for you? Dental offices and dentistry are unique stressors to the mind and body. Dr. Galler breaks down every part of the office dysfunction in a comical way; you will be sure to laugh and cry. Dental staffs likewise share in this phenomenon and often can feel overwhelmed or unappreciated. Your eyes will be opened to how all dentists offices and staffs face the same challenges and anxiety. This 3-hour laugh-a-thon lecture will explore the workings of a dental office and its personnel. After this course, you will be able to: recognize the signs and symptoms of dental burnout; find meaning and fulfillment in your career; and strategies for stress reduction and communication.

Despite an almost meteoric rise in the social and legal acceptance of cannabis, public health concerns regarding its use remain, especially among dental professionals, since the major routes of the administration of cannabis involve the oral cavity. This program will introduce dental professionals to the pharmacology of cannabis, including its various dosage forms, routes of administration, and adverse effects. Special emphasis will be placed on the effects of cannabis use on treatment planning strategies. After this course, you will be able to: describe the pharmacology of cannabis and available formulations; explain the clinical considerations of cannabis use, adverse reactions, and contraindications; and explore the dental considerations of cannabis and potential treatment modifications.

Enhancing our understanding of OSHA and infection control training is essential for all of us. We will offer a comprehensive exploration of federal mandatory training requirements. By the end of this course, you will gain actionable insights that can be immediately implemented in your office. After this course, you will be able to: implement OSHA requirements to ensure employee safety at work; ensure team and patient safety during dental visits by following the CC Summary of Infection Control for Dental Office Settings; and use essential record-keeping obligations and meet the annual dental team training requirements.

In this presentation, attendees will become versed in the foundational principles of traditional East Asian medicine, the impact of acupuncture on modern medicine, the scientific basis of modern acupuncture, and how acupuncture can be used to augment a dental practice. The session will include both a lecture and a demonstration. After this course, you will be able to: understand the historical context of acupuncture in the broader scope of medical and dental history; evaluate medical and dental literature describing the scientific validity of acupuncture; and characterize ways in which acupuncture might support a dental practice.

Optimized craniofacial growth and respiratory function depends on proper tongue function. Tongue ties or low tongue posture that impedes normal growth and function can give rise to sub-optimal growth, palatal collapse, mouth breathing with sleep-disordered breathing/OSA and associated behavioral challenges. Current research from Dr. Sigal's aiway-focused practice will be presented with short- and long-term outcomes that demonstrate the impact of long-term outcomes that demonstrate the impact of airway-centric health care. Breathe, Sleep, Live, Better. After this course, you will be able to: identify essential components of head/neck anatomy for optimized growth and function; identify signs and symptoms of a tongue tie in pediatrics; and explain how orofacial myofunctional therapy, breathing re-education, and functional scissor frenotomy care can help.

Optimized craniofacial growth and respiratory function depends on proper tongue function. Tongue ties or low tongue posture that impedes normal growth and function can give rise to sub-optimal growth, palatal collapse, mouth breathing with sleep-disordered breathing/OSA and associated behavioral challenges. Current research from Dr. Sigal's aiway-focused practice will be presented with short- and long-term outcomes that demonstrate the impact of long-term outcomes that demonstrate the impact of airway-centric health care. Breathe, Sleep, Live, Better. After this course, you will be able to: identify essential components of head/neck anatomy for optimized growth and function; identify signs and symptoms of a tongue tie in pediatrics; and explain how orofacial myofunctional therapy, breathing re-education, and functional scissor frenotomy care can help.