PLEASE NOTE: THIS COURSE CAN NO LONGER BE TAKEN FOR CAT 1 CE POINTS. This course is available now for review by registered users to reprint their Certificates if needed.
Clinical pharmacology studies the effects of drugs and their use for preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In this lecture, Dr. Ouanounou will review the various pharmacological agents commonly used in the daily dental practice. We will discuss local anaesthetics, its mechanism of action, onset and duration of action and adverse effects and potential complications associated with its use. Also, we will review the analgesics most commonly used in dentistry namely, acetaminophen, NSAIDs and opioids. In this section, Dr. Ouanounou will discuss the adverse effects, common drug interactions and recommended dosages. Moreover, anti-infectives most commonly used will be discussed. Also, since the use of herbal medications has significantly increased in the last few years, a discussion on the most common herbal medications will be provided and its effects on dental treatment. Finally, in this lecture we will review special topics such as geriatrics, pregnancy, kidney failure and liver disease, all situations requiring special caution on the part of the clinician when prescribing or administering drugs in the daily dental practice.