T01A: Every Pill You Take…I’ll Be Watching You! Successfully Interpreting Patients’ Complex Medication Histories

Course Summary:

Solve The Mysteries of Medication Histories!

With medically complex patients becoming a routine part of dental practice, understanding and interpreting extensive medication histories is more important than ever. This course equips dental professionals with the skills needed to analyze complex drug regimens, identify potential oral and systemic implications, and recognize red flags that may affect dental care. From cardiovascular and psychiatric medications to immunosuppressants and polypharmacy in older adults, attendees will learn how to assess risk, tailor treatment plans, and improve safety through effective communication and documentation. Ideal for both dentists and dental hygienists, this course bridges medicine and dentistry with practical, case-based guidance.

Learning Objectives:

Interpret complex medication lists and understand dental implications of commonly prescribed drug classes. Correlate medications with underlying medical conditions to support accurate risk assessment and comprehensive treatment planning Develop strategies for gathering complete and accurate medication histories from patients, including over-the-counter drugs, dietary supplements and unregulated substances Recognize polypharmacy and high-risk combinations that may impact dental treatment or require medical consultation