Pain management is a critical component of dental care, yet it requires a careful balance between efficacy, patient safety, and responsible prescribing. This course explores the pharmacology, indications, and clinical considerations of both non-opioid and opioid analgesics used in the treatment of acute dental pain. Dentists and dental hygienists will learn to compare analgesic options, tailor pain management plans to individual patient needs, and navigate regulatory, ethical, and public health concerns surrounding opioid use. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based prescribing, patient communication, and strategies to minimize the risk of misuse or dependency.

How Much Do We Know About Cannabis? The DEA considers cannabis to have no accepted medical use. Therefore, it is illegal to possess. Yet, almost every state has enacted legislation aimed at legalizing or decriminalizing cannabis for medical or recreational use. Despite this rise in social and legal acceptance, public health concerns regarding the use of cannabis remain, especially among dental professionals since the major routes of administration of cannabis involves the oral cavity. This program will introduce dental professionals to the pharmacology of cannabis, including its various dosage forms, routes of administration and adverse reactions. Special emphasis will be placed on the effects of cannabis use on oral health and dental treatment, as well as the proposed use of cannabis in dentistry for the management of patient anxiety andodontogenic pain