License Renewal Essentials: Current Concepts in Opioid Sparing Peri-Operative Anesthesia and Analgesia / Comprehensive Infection Control for the Dental Office

May 17, 2025 2:00 PM - 06:00 PM (GMT)

Location: Holiday Inn and Suites 5050 Jefferson St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109

Course Description:

This will be a "two-in-one" combined lecture course designed to meet the New Mexico dental board requirement for three (3) continuing education hours in Pain Management and one (1) continuing education hour in Infection Control per dental license renewal cycle.

The first portion of the course: Current Concepts in Opioid Sparing Peri-Operative Anesthesia and Analgesia (1 CEU in Anesthesia and Pain Management)

This part of the course will review current concepts in perioperative patient management moving us closer to an opioid sparing practice for the entire patient healthcare episode. Discuss essential elements of preoperative medical optimization and ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) Protocol in the outpatient dental setting. Review of relevant pharmacology. Discuss advances in opioid sparing post operative pain protocol for effective pain control, minimizing potential adverse reactions and managing medication side effects. Review the endocannabinoid system and perioperative considerations for Cannabis users. Review of current perioperative guidelines for patients taking anticoagulants and antiresorptive drugs. Discuss the merits, indications and utilization of Precedex (Dexmedetomidine) and ketamine for non-opioid Conscious Sedation/Deep Sedation General Anesthesia technique and patients. Discuss the challenges in caring for patients with opioid use disorder and cannabis use disorder with hyperalgesia.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this course, participants will be able to: 

1. Opioid abuse, addiction, and diversion awareness.
2. Introduction to ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) Protocol
3.  Introduction to Precedex (Dexmedetomidine) for Conscious Sedation/Deep Sedation/General Anesthesia
4. Perioperative considerations for Cannibis users and Cannibis use disorder
5. Review opioid, non-opioid analgesic and adjunctive medication pharmacology.
6.  Management of the common opioid adverse drug reactions and allergic reactions.
7.  Perioperative management of patients with a reported history of substance/opioid use disorder
8. Peri operative guidelines for patients taking anticoagulants and management techniques to address prolonged immediate and delayed postoperative bleeding.

About the Speaker:

Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Diplomate of the National Board of Dental Anesthesia ,Fellow American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Dr. Lionel Candelaria is an Albuquerque native. After achieving his undergraduate degree at the University of New Mexico his educational journey took him to the University of Missouri at Kansas City for his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). After receiving his DDS, Dr. Candelaria completed an internship at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, followed by a residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Tennessee.

He is proud to have served his county in the US Navy and had a distinguished career retiring as a decorated Navy Captain. Having a great admiration for the land of Enchantment, its culture, and family ties, Dr. Candelaria returned home and joined the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates of New Mexico. He hit the ground running applying his vast knowledge and experience that was gained from his world-class education and experience in the Navy to building his office with state-of-the-art equipment and refined core Oral and Maxillofacial procedures. Particularly, third molar, dental implant and bone grafting surgery with opioid-sparing analgesia protocol, preemptive analgesia, deep sedation general anesthesia techniques.

Aside from his practice, he joined the medical staff at all the local hospitals specializing in Orthognathic surgery, facial trauma, reconstruction, and the surgical care of children with cleft lip and palate deformities. He is an attending surgeon in the Department of Surgery and a member of the Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Surgery Team at the University of New Mexico Hospital where he teaches cleft lip and palate surgery to the Plastic Surgery and ENT residents and mentors medical students in their formative years.

Dr. Candelaria is very active in many local charitable organizations including Donated Dental Services, Cops for Kids, Mission of Mercy, and Cleft Team Outreach Clinics to all communities in the state of New Mexico. He has contributed to the dental profession both locally and nationally and actively serves on healthcare policy committees, has lectured extensively, published numerous articles in peer-reviewed professional journals, and is the author of a definitive OMFS textbook chapter. Dr. Candelaria serves as a Board Examiner for the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He is most notably the only Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in New Mexico who has been inducted as a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons for exemplary contributions to the surgical specialty. Rare in his specialty, he is Board certified in both Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and board-certified in the American Society of Dental Anesthesia.

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The second portion of the course: Comprehensive Infection Control for the Dental Office (1 CEU in Infection Control)

This portion of the course provides essential training on maintaining a safe and sterile environment in dental settings. Topics include proper hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), instrument sterilization, surface disinfection, and protocols for managing exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Emphasis is placed on current CDC guidelines and OSHA standards to ensure patient and staff safety. This course is ideal for all dental team members looking to stay compliant and reduce the risk of cross-contamination in clinical practice.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Identify the key principles of infection control and their importance in the dental setting.
2. Demonstrate proper hand hygiene techniques according to CDC guidelines.
3. Select and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for various dental procedures.
4. Describe the correct procedures for cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing dental instruments and operatory surfaces.
5. Recognize potential exposure risks and explain appropriate post-exposure protocols.
6. Apply OSHA and CDC standards to everyday dental practice to ensure a safe environment for both patients and staff.
7. Develop an understanding of documentation and compliance requirements related to infection control.

About the Speaker:

Natalie Hardy is a graduate of UNM Dental Hygiene School and is a dental industry infection control specialist. She loves practicing in outreach settings and is also a clinical product specialist for DentsplySirona. Outside of the dental setting she enjoys gardening, hiking and fly fishing with her husband and 2 boys.

Breakfast will be included.

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