Drugs and relevance to the dental profession

Recreational Drugs/Substance Misuse in Dentistry

• The presentation is about recreational drugs/substance misuse and its relevance to dentistry.
• This includes psychological and sociological factors affecting oral health, disease progression, and treatment success.
• Key aspects of clinical examinations are crucial for proper diagnoses and assessments.
• Identifying any changes in a patient's reported oral health and reacting accordingly is necessary.
• Referring patients to other dental team members or health professionals when needed is a critical part of care.
• Following up with patients appropriately is important for their ongoing care.
• Preventive care should be a fundamental part of patient treatment, contributing to long-term oral and general health.
• Understanding the health risks of diet, drugs (including tobacco and alcohol), and substance misuse is vital for effective patient education and support.
• Effective communication is necessary for patients, their representatives, and the general public, especially during sensitive situations.

Intended Learning Outcomes

• Students will outline the relevance of drug misuse to the UK population, considering prevalence.
• They will develop and demonstrate the role of dental care professionals for delivering key general health messages.
• They will evaluate data and provide appropriate advice to patients, and identify areas needing further attention.
• They will discuss the impact of common illegal drugs on oral and general health.

Assessment

• Formative and summative assessments are planned.
• Unseen cases and class discussions will be used, along with clinical activities.
• Case presentations will also contribute to assessment.

Recall of Information

• The presentation includes visuals of teeth and dental procedures along with patient record-keeping.

Office for National Statistics Data

• One in five adults (aged 16-24) has used a drug in the past year (around 1.3 million people) and 3.4% of adults between 16 and 59 have used a Class A drug in the last year.
• 7.4% of adults aged 16 to 24 took a Class A drug (approximately 467,000 people).
• 2.1% of adults aged 16–59 and 4.3% of adults aged 16–24 are considered frequent drug users (using drugs more than once a month in the past year).

Types of Substance Users

• Social, Abuser, Addict.

Types of Drugs Discussed

• The presentation covers numerous recreational drugs, including:
  • Cannabis
  • Methamphetamine
  • Cocaine
  • Heroine
  • MDMA Ecstasy
  • Nitrous Oxide

Drug Information

• There are sections on caffeine and energy drinks, synthetic cannabinoids (K2/spice), and the differences between these and other substances
• The presentation discusses the chemical structures and classifications of various substances.
• These substances can cause various adverse effects on both oral and general health.

Drug Wheel

• A drug wheel is included, categorizing various substances based on their effects.
• Substances like cannabinoids, opioids, stimulants, depressants, dissociatives, and psychedelics are included.

Things to Consider

•  Treatment/drug interactions
•  Asking relevant questions
•  Prevention
•  Sensitive Communication
•  Identification (E/O & I/O)

Impact on Oral Health & General Health

• The negative impact of these substances on oral health and general health, such as dry mouth, increased risk of gum disease, periodontal issues, and related health problems.
•  Issues like burns and changes in oral tissues are also considered.

Resources for Information

• Materials and links to resources like FRANK and The Drugs Wheel were presented.

Criteria for Mind Mapping

• Detailed criteria for mind mapping each drug were provided, including alternative names, intake methods, oral health impact, and general health impact.