Mental Health has been negatively impacted during the pandemic, especially for healthcare providers and their patients, including those within dentistry.   As we transition back to pre-pandemic lifestyles, COVID-related anxiety is proving to be a real and long-term symptom of the pandemic.  Recognizing and finding ways to navigate the symptoms of COVID anxiety is a new skill set required of today’s healthcare providers. Through this presentation you will gain an understanding of the impact of COVID anxiety on mental well-being and behavior; learn techniques to help modulate anxiety and recognize when professional assistance is needed.

Sjogren’s Disease is a systemic autoimmune disease with diverse clinical presentation. It affects both females and males of all age groups, but most commonly affects middle-aged (4^th-6^th decade) females (9:1). Sjögren’s disease may occur alone may coexist with other systemic connective tissue disorders. The disease is manifested by inflammation of the secretory glands causing reduced function and tissue destruction. The salivary and lacrimal glands are predominantly affected leading to dry mouth and dry eyes, although other tissues may be affected including the skin, the thyroid glands, and the upper respiratory tract among others. Subjects may experience profound fatigue, painful recurrent parotid swelling, widespread musculoskeletal pain, and polyarthritis. The pattern of signs and symptoms in SjD are proposed to predict responsiveness to potential therapies, however this remains unproven.

In Part I, the background and clinical significance of Sjögren’s Disease for oral healthcare professionals will be discussed. Specific emphasis will be placed on the clinical signs and sequalae of Sjögren’s Disease and optimal multidisciplinary care approaches. Current clinical, supportive, and pharmaceutical strategies to manage a dry mouth and dry eyes will be provided. In Part II, after adequate background, emerging and unpublished data regarding the consequences of Sjogren’s Disease on the target organ (e.g., the salivary glands) and precision medicine approaches, will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• Basic understanding of an autoimmune disease affecting the salivary and lacrimal glands
• ‘Sjogren’s Disease’ - I thought ‘Sjogren’s Syndrome’?
• Identify the signs and symptoms of Sjögren’s Disease
• Dry mouth management – Saliva replacement, secretion enhancement, and prophylaxis
• Current understanding of the pathogenesis of Sjogren’s Disease
• Emerging treatments for Sjogren’s Disease –managing both oral (local) and systemic symptoms

When Does Substance Use Become a Problem?

There is an inescapable probability that either in your personal or professional life you will be impacted by someone struggling with a substance use disorder (SUD).  The goal of this session is to increase your awareness and knowledge of SUDs through a discussion of 1) current generational substance use data 2) symptoms, stages and patterns of this disorder and 3) factors that affect the likelihood and speed of developing a SUD, including those generally found in healthcare including dentistry.   With this information, you will be in a better personal and professional position to engage in non-stigmatizing discussions and actions to assist those with SUDs.   

CE Credits: 2 Credits  

AGD 730 Oral Medicine, Oral Diagnosis, Oral Pathology  

Course Description:  

The frequency of bone marrow and hematopoietic stem cell transplants is increasing as our population ages and advances are made in transplant medicine. Two in 1000 Americans require kidney dialysis chronically until a transplant is available. Dentists have a critical role in clearing patients for transplant with regard to oral health and in screening for oral mucosal and dental issues after transplant and during chronic therapies such as kidney dialysis. This seminar with provide updated information about transplant medicine, will detail the pre-transplant dental screen and will discuss considerations for patient oral health care in the immediate and long-term post-transplant period and in the kidney dialysis patient.  

Course Objectives:  

1. Bone marrow and hematopoietic stem cell transplant will be briefly reviewed.  

2. Requirements and considerations for the pre-transplant dental exam will be reviewed.  

3. Clinical manifestations of graft-versus-host disease in the mouth will be reviewed.  

4. Participants will review the treatment options available for oral mucosal GVHD including emerging therapeutic options.  

5. The medical process of kidney dialysis will be discussed.  

6. Common dental issues in patients undergoing chronic kidney dialysis and considerations for their dental care will be reviewed.