José Lança
José Lança, MD, PhD
Sponsored by ODHA
The overall use of prescription medications among adult patients continues to increase. According to recent population studies, an estimated 59 per cent of adults report regular use of prescribed drugs. Furthermore, the prevalence of polypharmacy (use of five or more medications per patient) is approximately 15 per cent.
This session stresses the need for all health-care professionals to understand the basic concepts of pharmacology, which is crucial for safe patient care. On a daily basis, dental hygienists treat clients taking a variety of medications for asthma, hypertension, osteoporosis and cancer. Discussion will also focus on the additional use of over-the-counter medications, natural supplements and herbal medications, which further increases the risks of drug interactions and adverse effects.
Learning objectives:
- Understand clinical implications of polypharmacy, drug interactions and adverse effects of medications widely used in the management of conditions mentioned above, and the oral care of elderly individuals.
- Discuss prevention and management of the oral conditions (such as bleeding, xerostomia, mucositis and non-odontogenic tooth pain) resulting from the use of medications, natural supplements and herbal products.