Doctor Education—Pain Management: Hurt So Swell

Speaker: Thomas Viola, R. Ph., CCP, CDE, CPMP

Date: Friday, November 6, 2026

Time: Check-In 8:30am | Lecture 9:00am - 1:00pm

Location: Western New England College of Pharmacy

1215 Wilbraham Rd, Bldg 5, Springfield, MA 01119

CEs: 4

Cost: VDDS Member-Dentist: $225

Nonmember Dentist: $275

Dental Staff: $175

Course Description:

The challenge faced by all dental professionals today is to provide safe and effective treatment to out medically complex patients. As dental professionals, we must be equally aware of the medical considerations of agents commonly used int eh practice of dentistry as well as the dental considerations of the medications frequently prescribed for the treatment of multiple systemic diseases. This program offers a complete overview of the principles of dental pharmacology. This course will cover the following topics: Dental Pain Management, Medically Complex Dental Pain Management, Marijuana Use and Substance Use Disorder, and Dental Implications of Disease State Management.

Learning Objectives:

• Apply analgesic pharmacology principles to patient-specific pain-management scenarios encountered in dental practice.
• Analyze pharmacologic, physiologic, and behavioral factors that may contribute to the success or failure of pain-management strategies.
• Evaluate the risks and benefits of common analgesic classes in patients with systemic disease, polypharmacy, or potential substance use disorder.
• Discuss current controversies and evolving guidance related to dental pain management, including strategies to avoid potential drug diversion.
• Recognize signs and risks associated with substance use disorder and identify potential complications during dental treatment, including drug interactions and anesthesia risks.
• Apply strategies for obtaining and interpreting complete medication histories, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, and unregulated substances, to support safe and effective dental treatment.