Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) are unfortunately both common and destructive in our society. We will discuss new developments in the neurophysiology and treatment of common SUDs. Recreational marijuana is currently legal in 21 states and initiatives are currently being promoted in many more states. We will review the pharmacology of cannabis products and discuss oral effects and dental treatment ramifications for patients who frequently use cannabinoids with special emphasis on risks of high potency THC among adolescents. Non-opioid SUDs will be examined with the goal of recognizing recent use, and oral effects and adjusting dental treatment to ensure patient safety and to avoid medicolegal complications.

OBJECTIVES
After attending this course and reviewing the handouts, the participant should be able to:
1. Discuss the neurophysiology and neurotransmitter basis for SUDs,
2. Describe the brain development stages and mental health disorders that predispose to SUDs,
3. List the dental pain management and anesthesia implications of chronic cannabis use,
4. Identify the signs and symptoms & treatment alternatives for alcoholism and other SUDs,

Karen Baker, RPh, MS

Professor Karen Baker has been on the Dental College faculty at the University of Iowa for over 40 years and occupies a unique role in dental practice and education. She is a clinical pharmacist with a Master’s degree in clinical pharmacology and therapeutics and is focused on patient-specific dental drug therapy. She has given well over 1000 invited programs nationally and internationally and holds memberships in many dental and clinical pharmacology and therapeutics organizations. Her dental education-based pharmacy and drug therapy consultation center is the only one in the United States. She has authored many articles and abstracts and lectures extensively in pre-doctoral and graduate courses at the University of Iowa.