F01B: That “Deja-Vu Moment” We Get When Discussing Vaping Cannabis With Our Patients

Course Summary:

Is Vaping Really Safer Than Smoking?

Although cannabis smoking among young adults has declined over the past several years, there has been a substantial increase in the use of vaporizing devices. While originally designed as alternative delivery vehicles for nicotine in place of tobacco, advances in technology and a lack of strict regulation have given rise to the use of these devices as delivery vehicles for cannabis and numerous cannabis extractions. Unfortunately, very little information is available about the safety of the active and inactive ingredients present in cannabis vaping products. This course will provide participants with an overview of cannabis vaping and its overall systemic adverse effects, with special emphasis given to dental treatment strategies and patient care planning techniques.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the pharmacology of cannabis, including mechanism of action, routes of administration and available formulations
• Compare smoking and vaping as alternate delivery systems for introducing drugs like cannabis into the lungs
• Explain current available treatment strategies and patient care planning techniques for patients who vape cannabis
• Describe the oral and systemic complications encountered by patients who vape