Recreational Drugs and Dentistry

• The presentation will cover recreational drugs/substance misuse and its relevance in dentistry.
• The presentation outlines the relevance of drug misuse prevalence in relation to the UK population.
• The presentation further develops the role of dental care professionals in delivering key general health messages.
• It evaluates data, delivers advice to patients, and signposts where needed, discussing the impact of illegal drugs on oral and general health.

GDC Learning Outcomes

• Recognize psychological and sociological factors contributing to poor oral health, disease course, and treatment success.
• Recognize the importance of systematic intra- and extra-oral clinical examinations.
• Recognize the significance of changes in the patient's reported oral health status and take appropriate action.
• Refer patients to other members of the dental team or health professionals when needed.
• Recognize the need for and make arrangements for appropriate follow-up care.
• Underpin patient care with a preventive approach that contributes to long-term oral and general health.
• Describe the health risks of diet, drugs, and substance misuse, including tobacco and alcohol, on oral and general health and provide appropriate advice, referral, and support.
• Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, their representatives, and the general public at all times.
• Handle difficult circumstances, such as breaking bad news or discussing alcohol consumption and smoking.

Assessment

• Formative assessment includes unseen cases, class discussion, and clinical activity.
• Summative assessment includes unseen cases and case presentations.

Office for National Statistics Data

• Approximately 1.3 million people, or about one in five adults aged 16 to 24, had taken a drug in the last year (21%).
• 3.4% of adults aged 16 to 59 had taken a Class A drug in the last year.
• 7.4% of adults aged 16 to 24 had taken a Class A drug in the last year, which equates to approximately 467,000 people.
• 2.1% of adults aged 16 to 59 years and 4.3% of adults aged 16 to 24 years were classified as "frequent" drug users, meaning they had taken a drug more than once a month in the last year.

Types of Substance Users

• Social users
• Abusers
• Addicts

Drugs Mentioned

• Cannabis.
• Methamphetamine.
• Cocaine.
• Heroine.
• MDMA Ecstasy.
• Nitrous Oxide.
• Synthetic Cannabinoids (K2/Spice).

Caffeine & Energy Drinks

• Caffeine is a stimulant found naturally in tea, coffee, and cocoa, and used for years as a 'pep pill'.
• Caffeine is also used in exercise, diet supplements, and as a bulking agent for legal and illegal stimulant drugs.
• It can be an additive in make-up, soap, shampoo, and even caffeinated tights.
• Energy drinks are high-caffeine drinks or supplements marketed as mental or physical stimulators, containing legal stimulant drugs and other substances like taurine, guarana, glucose, and B vitamins.
• Energy drinks first appeared in Europe in the 1960s but were not widely used until Red Bull appeared on the market in 1987.
• By 2006, there were over 500 brands of energy drinks around.
• Synthetic cannabinoids (K2/Spice) are often called synthetic marijuana or fake weed because some chemicals are like those in marijuana.
• The effects can be unpredictable and sometimes severe or life-threatening.

Considerations for Dental Professionals

• Treatment/drug interactions.
• Asking sensitive questions.
• Prevention strategies.
• Identification of issues (E/O & I/O).
• Sensitive communication.

Resources

• Reading material.
• Honest information about drugs | FRANK (talktofrank.com)
• http://www.thedrugswheel.com/