Tom Viola, R.Ph., C.C.P.

With over 30 years’ experience as a board-certified pharmacist, clinical educator, professional speaker and published author, Tom Viola, R.Ph., C.C.P. has earned his national and international reputation as the go-to specialist for making pharmacology practical and useful for all members of the dental team. As the founder of Pharmacology Declassified, Tom provides valuable insight on the complex interplay between pharmacology and physiology so that clinicians may be knowledgeable about not only the dental considerations of medications used to treat systemic illness but also the systemic considerations of medications used to provide dental treatment. As an educator, Tom is a member of the faculty of over 10 dental professional degree programs and has received several awards for outstanding teacher of the year. As an author, Tom is well known for his contributions to several professional journals, has served as a contributor, chapter author and peer reviewer for several pharmacology textbooks and currently serves as a consultant to the American Dental Association’s Council on Scientific Affairs. As a speaker, Tom has presented over 1000 informative, humorous and engaging continuing education seminars and webinars to dental professionals internationally since 2001. Meeting planners and attendees agree that Tom is their choice to educate within this dental specialty.

Course Description

Management of acute odontogenic pain is accomplished through a clinical approach that successfully incorporates both opioid and nonopioid analgesics. It is critical for dental clinicians to not only employ appropriate prescribing practices when utilizing opioid and non-opioid analgesics to treat pain but to also apply best practices when assessing pain control and educating patients on opioid-associated risks and opioid safety. This program will provide an overview of techniques for effectively assessing and managing dental pain, appropriately prescribing analgesics, educating patients on adverse effects and proper handling of opioid medications, as well as strategies for identifying patients at risk for substance abuse, and counseling patients on agents used in the management and treatment of opioid use disorder

Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives Upon successful completion of this program, participants will be able to:

• Describe the pharmacology and mechanism of action of opioid and non-opioid analgesics.
• Explain the intended role of opioid and nonopioid analgesics in the management of acute dental pain, as well as situations which may preclude their use, based on a patient’s underlying medical conditions.
• Discuss appropriate prescribing practices for opioid analgesics to utilize in everyday clinical situations.
• Describe techniques useful in developing individualized pain management plans as well as strategies useful in identifying potential opioid addiction and counseling on treatments.