Mid-Continent Dental Congress - Greater St. Louis Dental Society Conference for Continuing Education

CE Credits:  3 Hour Lecture  |  Subject: Restorative/Preventative |  Recommended for: All Attendees | Prerequisite: This lecture is recommended for Dr. Huffines afternoon lecture, but not required.

Treating the patient with rampant caries can be frustrating to both the dental team and the patient. The patient blames the dentist for recurrent caries around recently placed restorations; the dentist blames the hygienist for inadequate preventive recommendations; the hygienist blames the patient for not following instructions! Our understanding of the caries risk factors is much more sophisticated now and we know that our simple instructions to just “brush and floss” are not adequate for many patients. This is especially true for older patients who now have more caries than teenagers. In fact, caries – not periodontal disease – is now the primary cause of tooth loss in older adults. Using examples from patients in his own practice, Dr. Huffines will guide you through protocols that are based on assessing the risk of the individual patient. An unbiased, evidence-based evaluation of prescription and OTC chemotherapeutic agents without the media hype will furnish you with the latest information to guide your product selection. Myths and controversies about antimicrobial protocols, ACP, CCP-ACP, CCP-ACFP, silver diamine fluoride, sodium fluoride, difluorosilane varnishes, and xylitol products will be explored in detail. Gain expertise in managing this group of patients that desperately need our help.

Learning Objectives:

• Quickly assess the caries risk for an individual patient.
• Manage the patient with inadequate saliva.
• Properly prescribe chemotherapeutic agents.