Dental Opioid CE Course Online | Dental Didactics

OxyContin and Fentanyl, and the National Opioid Crisis

National health authorities including the CDC have characterized opioid use in the United States as a "national public health emergency" and a "crisis" reaching "epidemic levels." Great emphasis is being placed upon regulation of prescribing practices, putting safeguards in place against over-prescribing, and educating both medical and dental practitioners regarding the extent and cause of the present crisis.

Sign and symptoms of OxyContin and Fentanyl overdose

The Dental Didactics CE course on the National Opioid Crisis reviews the current crisis using the prescription narcotic OxyContin and Fentanyl as examples. The course discusses societal issues involved in the abuse of narcotic pain medications, as well as reviewing the mechanism of action of these drugs. There are numerous clinical signs and symptoms of abuse of which practitioners should be aware, and treatment protocols and programs available for narcotic abuse (including diversion programs for dental professionals). The problem is so widespread that numerous state dental boards and state agencies have developed programs for dentists and dental health professionals in crisis themselves.

There are numerous challenges involved in reducing the abuse of narcotic pain medications, while maintaining an adequate supply of these medications to patients truly in need. Numerous strategies are currently being employed by the FDA, CDC, DEA, and pharmaceutical manufacturers to limit the abuse potential of narcotic pain medications. There are also legal challenges involved in the marketing and distribution of OxyContin and Fentanyl which complicate the delivery of pain medication to those in need.

Course provided by Dental Didactics CE