Street Drugs, Illicit Drugs & Licit Drugs Used Illicitly: Medical & Dental Considerations - Part 2
Saturday, May 30, 2026
2:45 PM - 4:15 PM Pacific
CE: 2 CE Credits
It’s a fast-paced world and many patients may seek the assistance of substances to cope and get through their busy, trying days. The use and abuse of both licit and illicit substances has the potential to produce adverse reactions and life-threatening medical emergencies during dental treatment. This comprehensive program will explore strategies for identifying the dental patient using and abusing substances, as well as techniques for effective patient management and treatment. Special emphasis will be given to a discussion of patients with previously existing or current substance abuse and the impact on patients using cannabis for medical and recreational purposes.
Learning Objectives:
Discuss the impact of substance dependence and abuse on dental therapy and on overall patient health.
Identify the most common illicit and licit substances of abuse and dependence and discuss: street names, common adverse effects, oral manifestations, dental treatment considerations.
Describe techniques useful in identifying and successfully managing patient substance use and dependency.
Disclosure(s):
Thomas Viola, RPh, CCP, CDE, CPMP: No financial relationships to disclose