Interprofessional Controlled Substance Risk Mitigation Initiative Symposium: An Interactive Forum Bringing Together Dentists, Physicians, Dental Hygienists, Students, and Specialists in the Field

In the past, dentists have been among the most frequent prescribers of short acting opioids, often with unused pills remaining after dental procedures. In spite of the recent, significant drop in opioid prescribing, at-risk patients are seen at all clinical practices. Practicing dentists and dentists-in-training require evidence-based, cost-effective strategies for assessing and managing their complex patients. Two thirds of practicing dentists still believe that it is not within their professional role to screen patients for substance use disorders, a fact that likely resulted in the slow adoption of prescription monitoring programs (PMPs). National data has shown that less than one third of dentists currently employ PMP data despite many states making its use mandatory. Even fewer dentists employ web-based assessment strategies, such as the NIDA Quick Screen, for assessment. A further factor is that many of the assessment and clinical management tools available to practitioners are irrelevant to dentistry. Due to improving technology and other developments, dentists now have an opportunity to employ effective alternatives to opioid analgesics for acute dental pain, and better technology for assessing and managing the complex pain patient.

The Controlled Substance Risk Mitigation Initiative (CSRMI) Symposium will bring together nationally recognized experts on controlled substance risk mitigation and provide practicing dentists, dental specialists and dentists-in-training with an introduction to the current state of science and best clinical practices. The program will include an interactive forum for participants to review, discuss, and provide input on the development of future evidence-based educational content.

This symposium and interactive forum will not only provide an opportunity to learn about the important work being done on behalf of the Massachusetts Governor's Working Group on Prescription Drug Misuse but will also have an impact on shaping future dental education and will put participants on the forefront of improving standards of dental practice.

Participating experts include specialists in dentistry, oral sergeants, pain medicine, pharmacy, addiction medicine, and the behavioral sciences.  

Program:

• Introduction and Commentary with Course Director Ronald Kulich, PhD and Course Director David Keith, DMD, BDS
• Keynote Address: Assessment and Management of Substance Use with Kevin P. Hill, MD
• Clinical Models for Risk Mitigation in Dental Medicine with Ellen Patterson, MD, MA, and Jeffry Shaefer, DDS, MS, MPH
• Pharmacotherapy Management of Acute Pain to Maximize Outcome and Reduce Risk with Paul A. Moore, DMD, PhD, MPH
• Identifying Medical and Psychiatric Conditions with Substance Use Risk with Ronald J. Kulich, PhD
• Improve Care and Minimize Risk: Standardized Strategies, Responses, and Legal Issues with David. A. Keith, DMD
• Lunch and Exhibits
• Concurrent Afternoon Sessions (choose one):
  • New Advances in the Management of Acute Dental Pain: Updated Principles for Rational Prescribing and Alternatives to Opioid Therapy with Steven J. Scrivani, DDS, DMSc, and discussant Richard Harold, DMD, BS in Pharmacy, JD
  • A Model for Persistent Headache and Facial Pain: Screening Approaches for Mitigating and Managing Controlled Substance Risk: Opioids, Benzodiazepines, Sedatives, Cannabis, Alcohol, and Tobacco with Micahel E. Schatman, PhD, DAAPM, and discussant Ronald J. Kulich, PhD
  • Identifying and Managing Medical and Psychiatric Conditions Associated with Increased Controlled Substance Risk with Kelly M. Wawrzyniak, PsD, and discussant David J. DeBennedetto, MD
  • Prescription Monitoring Programs for Dental Risk Management Strategies, Responses, and Legal Issues with Richard D'Innocenzo, MD, DMD, and discussant Alberto Malacarne, DDS
• Roundtable Discussion with Experts
• Exhibits and Reception (3:15-4:30pm)

David Keith, D.M.D., B.D.S., Professor, Harvard School of Dental Medicine; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital

RONALD R. KULICH, Ph.D., Professor, Craniofacial Pain, Headache, and Sleep Center, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine; Lecturer, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School