PLEASE NOTE: THIS COURSE CAN NO LONGER BE TAKEN FOR CE POINTS. This course is available now for review by registered users to reprint their Certificates if needed. It has expired and can no longer be taken to achieve CE points or certificates.
The dentist serves as an important health care provider who has frequent contacts with patients in the community. In fact, many patients may have more visits with their dental professional than with their physician. Incorporation of skin examination of the head and neck region, and the face especially, by dentists during routine visits would allow for early recognition and treatment of potentially dangerous skin conditions.
Over the course of this half-day presentation, the practitioner will learn a comprehensive approach to skin examination of the head and neck area as well as an overview of both common and potentially serious skin lesions and rashes. This includes a review of the important features of skin malignancies including Melanoma, Squamous cell carcinoma and Basal carcinoma and helpful clues to differentiating these from benign skin lesions. Infectious and inflammatory dermatologic diseases of the face will be presented with a focus on common rashes along the lifetime of a patient from childhood to adulthood to the senior years.
A review of dermatologic pharmacotherapy will provide up to date information on newly emerging topical and parenteral dermatologic therapies. Finally, cosmetic enhancement of the face will be discussed along with a review of facial anatomy. The practitioner will be able to leave the session with new knowledge and helpful tools that will pave the way for routine skin examination of the head and neck area of all patients in their practice.
Learning Objectives :
1. Develop an approach to cutaneous examination of the head and neck area, with a focus on the face and perioral area.
2. Become familiar with the clinical appearance of common benign skin lesions
3. Become familiar with the clinical features of skin malignancy, particularly Malignant melanoma, Squamous cell carcinoma, Basal cell carcinoma and Merkel cell carcinoma
4. Develop a familiarity with the common skin rashes and infections seen in patients of different ages and cultural backgrounds
5. Review the structure and histopathology of the skin as well as important facial anatomy