Effective Medical Evaluation and Pharmacology Protocols for the Dental Patient [SBRC]

This interactive, clinically oriented 3-hour program will cover the following topics: (i) steps for performing a medical evaluation of the dental patient, (ii) proper use of epinephrine in medically compromised patients, (iii) managing patients who take anticoagulant, antithrombotic, and antiplatelet agents, (iv) rational, responsible antibiotic prescribing for dental infections and surgical prophylaxis and (v) understanding opioid addiction and responsible opioid prescribing.  

The presentation is designed for dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants.  

Course Objectives:  

• After the course, participants will be able to:  
• Understand the steps involved in efficiently assessing the medical history of dental patients in the dental office.  
• Communicate effectively with medical colleagues when requesting a medical evaluation.  
• Recognize the importance of knowing how much epinephrine can be used in medically compromised patients.  
• Manage dental patients taking anticoagulant, antithrombotic, and antiplatelet agents requiring oral surgical procedures.  
• Appropriately prescribe antibiotics for dental-alveolar infections and surgical prophylaxis.
• How opioid addiction occurs, and the role clinicians have in responsible opioid prescribing.

DR. RUTKOWSKI  is a Pharmacist and Dentist with a PhD. in Pharmacology.  He has authored multiple publications in peer-reviewed journals and textbook chapters.  Jim is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Oral Implantology, a Diplomate/President of the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry (ABOI/ID), and an Honored Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID).  He lectures nationally and internationally on medical evaluations, pharmacology, sedation techniques, bone grafting materials, and methods for treating medically compromised dental patients.  Dr. Rutkowski has been bestowed the Gershkoff-Goldberg Award for service to the field of Implant Dentistry and the Isaih Lew Memorial Research Award for contributions to research in the field of Implant Dentistry.  

For 44 years, Dr. Rutkowski maintained a dental practice in 
Pittsburgh and Clarion, Pennsylvania, concentrating on treating apprehensive/medically compromised patients.