Current Concepts in Dentistry Day 2

Course description

Better Medicine, Better Dentistry: Becoming a Better Prescriber

Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026
Presented by Mark Donaldson, BSP, RPH, PHARMD, FASHP, FACHE 

This course is designed to illustrate how uniting the medical, dental and pharmaceutical fields ultimately leads to “Better Medicine, Better Dentistry.” Wouldn’t it be nice to go to a continuing education course that gives you the tools to be more successful starting on Monday morning? Wouldn’t it be great to be known as the dentist who offers excellent, safe and anxiety-free dentistry? Wouldn’t you like to be more confident in all of your prescription writing knowing that you are on the cutting edge, and that you are evidence-based and guideline-driven? This is that course.

Did you know that more than 50% of the general population has some measure of fear and anxiety about going to the dentist? In fact, 15% of the general population will self-report as being highly fearful or even terrified of going to a dental appointment. Dental fear is a learned response. Family, friends, and popular media can influence patients’ attitudes toward dentistry; this attitude manifests in a cycle of fear that is characterized by avoidance of care and dental pathology. Dentists have used numerous techniques to improve patient comfort during treatment, employing distraction techniques, calming dialogue, and positive reinforcement to manage anxious patients who otherwise would use the “white-knuckle” technique. In recent years, the use of oral benzodiazepines such as triazolam and lorazepam (with or without nitrous oxide) for the diminution of perioperative anxiety and fear in dental patients has increased.

This interactive course reviews guideline-based and appropriate prescribing tenets to keep our patients safe and comfortable. Case studies will augment the delivery of key points, and a problem-based learning approach is encouraged so that each participant’s questions are addressed. After all, if an adverse event occurs in your office, who is more at risk—you or your patient?

Learning objectives

By end of the course, you will be able to:

• Discuss the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
• Describe the three key benefits of local anesthetic buffering and how this can be done at chairside
• Understand the mechanism of action and pharmacological properties of the benzodiazepine family of medications
• Recognize the essential drugs recommended for the minimal dental emergency kit and how to use them
• Appreciate the overall safety of nitrous oxide—oxygen inhalational sedation and how to counsel and advise staff on measuring and minimizing any potential occupational exposure

About the presenter

Mark Donaldson, BSP, RPH, PHARMD, FASHP, FACHE is a clinical professor at the University of Montana, clinical associate professor at the Oregon Health & Science University, and affiliate faculty in dentistry at the University of British Columbia (UBC). He has practiced as a clinical pharmacy specialist, clinical coordinator, and director of pharmacy services at many healthcare organizations in Canada and the United States. He is currently associate principal of clinical pharmacy for Vizient’s Advisory Solutions, and lives in Whitefish, Montana.

He received his baccalaureate degree from UBC and his doctorate in clinical pharmacy from the University of Washington. He has lectured internationally to both dental and medical practitioners focusing on dental pharmacology and therapeutics and is a leader in the field. He serves on the editorial board for the Journal of the American Dental Association and in 2019, he was conferred by the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) with the “Special Friend of Canadian Dentistry Award.”

Dr. Donaldson has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.