Substance Misuse and Oral Health

Course Details

• This course takes an in-depth look at key aspects relevant to dental professionals. It aims to increase awareness of the impact of substance misuse on oral health and provides strategies for effective communication with patients facing these challenges.
• You will be presented with a short presentation followed by an assessment.
• If you achieve 80% or more, you pass the course and will receive a printable certificate to place in your CPD folder. If you do not pass, you will have the opportunity to review the content and retake the assessment when you feel confident.

Aims

This course aims to provide learners with knowledge and understanding of key aspects pertinent to dental professionals. It focuses on increasing awareness of the impact of substance misuse on oral health, offering strategies for effective communication with patients confronting these challenges and providing insights into constructing self-care strategies, designed to assist dental professionals in managing emotional stress and maintaining resilience, especially in the context of complex patient cases.

Objectives

During this course, learners will be able to:

• Identify the oral health implications of common substances, including alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs, and recognise their manifestations in dental settings.
• Employ effective communication techniques to engage with patients experiencing substance misuse issues in a non-judgmental and supportive manner.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the legal and ethical considerations when managing patients with substance misuse, and apply appropriate protocols in different scenarios.
• Develop personalised self-care plans, integrating mindfulness practices, stress reduction techniques, and seeking available resources to maintain emotional well-being in a demanding dental practice environment.
• Apply acquired knowledge and skills to deliver empathetic and comprehensive care, ensuring patient confidentiality and ethical practice while managing challenging cases involving substance misuse.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course the learner will gain an understanding of how to:

• Recognise oral manifestations and signs of substance misuse in patients, specifically related to alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs.
• Employ non-judgmental and empathetic communication strategies when discussing oral health implications with patients facing substance misuse challenges.
• Understand the legal and ethical considerations when managing patients with substance misuse, including patient confidentiality, mandatory reporting, and informed consent.
• Apply self-care techniques to manage emotional stress and maintain mental resilience when handling challenging patient cases.
• Translate acquired knowledge into practical skills to deliver comprehensive and empathetic care, ensuring patient confidentiality and ethical practice in challenging scenarios involving substance misuse.
• Establish an environment that fosters trust and open dialogue, encouraging patients to discuss substance misuse issues and seek assistance.
• Devise patient-centered care plans addressing oral health challenges related to substance misuse, incorporating effective treatment and support strategies.
• Work collaboratively with addiction specialists, support organisations, and healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive care for patients dealing with substance misuse challenges.

GDC Development Outcome

A,B,D

Topics covered