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Course Syllabus
Substance Abuse and Chemical Dependency
Contact Hours: 3
Price: $45.00
Published September 2010
Pages 62
Course Description
Substance abuse, improper or excessive use of alcohol or other mood altering substance, occurs at an alarming rate in today's society. It is estimated that approximately 1:5 male patients in a dental practice abuse alcohol. Approximately 1:16 female patients have a substance abuse problem 1 alarming new trend is the misuse of prescription medications, following alcohol and tobacco use, it is the most commonly abused substance. Would you be able to identify patients in your practice who are abusing, dependent or addicted to alcohol or drugs? Although the scope of dental practice does not include diagnosis or treatment of chemical dependency, the oral health team must be aware of signs and symptoms of substance abuse and addiction. Treatment modifications are often necessary. Medical emergencies such as heart attack or stroke may occur.
Course Objectives
After finishing this course, the dental professional will be able to:
- Describe one theory of chemical dependency.
- Identify epidemiological factors related to chemical dependency.
- Discuss the process of neurotransmission.
- Describe signs that may indicate a patient is chemically dependent.
- List components of chemical dependency treatment.
- Discuss modifications in dental treatment necessary when treating a patient who is chemically dependent or recovering from chemical dependency.
- Describe the dental professional's role in preventing substance abuse.
- Describe how drugs and alcohol may interact with dental therapeutic agents.
- Discuss how chemical dependency affects the oral health team.
- Gain confidence in your ability to assess and provide appropriate dental treatment for patients who are chemically dependent or who are recovering from chemical dependency.
About the Author
Nancy J. Williams, RDH, EdD
Nancy J. Williams, RDH,
EdD, is professor and interim graduate program director in the Department of Dental Hygiene at the
University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, College of Allied Health Sciences. She is also an
Associate Professor in the Department of Biologic and Diagnostic Sciences, UT College of Dentistry. She
has served as a member of the Tennessee Dental Association's Concerned Dental Health Professionals'
Committee since 1992. She is currently serving as a consultant to the Hazelden Foundation and Delta
Dental Plan of Minnesota; her responsibilities include developing educational materials on
methamphetamine induced dental caries for distribution to dental offices and clinics throughout the
region. As the oral health consultant to the State of Tennessee's Meth Destroys campaign, she has made
television appearances, been interviewed for national newspaper articles, and has developed educational
information for healthcare providers related to detection and dangers of methamphetamine abuse. Dr.
Williams has lectured extensively at local, national, and international programs on drugs of abuse and their
impact on oral health and the dental office family. She is invited to speak at ADA's 2007 Conference on
the Well Being of Dentist on the topic of including all dental office team members in state dental
association sponsored well being committees.
Dr. Williams earned a B.S. degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of Tennessee, an M.S. in
Community Health from University of Memphis, and an EdD with an emphasis on college student health
also from University of Memphis. She has completed post doctoral courses at the University of Utah,
School on Alcoholism and Other Chemical Dependencies. She has received certificates in tobacco cessation
and intervention from the National Cancer Institute, Indiana University, and Mayo Clinic.
Wayne McElhiney, DPh, DDS
Dr. Wayne McElhiney,
DPh., D.D.S. is the Director of the Concerned Dental
Professionals Committee of the TDA. Dr. McElhiney has served on this Committee since 1984 and accepted
the Directorship in 2006. He is a 1966 graduate of the University Of Tennessee College Of Pharmacy. A
1974 graduate
of the University Of Tennessee College Of Dentistry Dr. McElhiney was a
member of the Dean's Society and Vice President of the College. He
maintained a private practice for twenty-three years, a member of the
American Dental Association, Tennessee Dental Association, Nashville Dental
Society. A member of the National Association of Alcohol & Drug Counselors,
serves on the Advisory Council University of Utah, School on Alcoholism and
Other Drug Dependencies. He received a certificate from the University of
Utah on Alcoholism and other Drug Dependencies. He has served as Chief of
Staff at Tennessee Christian Hospital, a Consultant for Drug Formulating and
Pain Regiment for Alive Hospice in Nashville. He has served as a member of
the Board of Directors for the Nashville Dental Society, Vol State Community
College Foundation and the Bluegrass Yacht & Country Club. Dr. McElhiney is
a noted lecturer and published author and currently involved in teaching
health professionals the disease concept of addiction.
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Questions
E-mail: CESupport@DentalLearning.org
Call: 800-522-1207
