Issues & People

Looking into the Future of Pharmacology and Dentistry

CDA Oasis May 13, 2016

Peter L. Jacobsen PhD, DDS Author of the Little Dental Drug Booklet

This is the second in a series of interviews with thought leaders in various clinical disciplines about the future of dentistry.

Dr. Jacobsen’s Ph.D. is in Comparative Pharmacology and Toxicology and he directed the Oral Medicine Clinic at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry for over 25 years. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Medicine and past Chairperson of the Council on Dental Therapeutics of the ADA. Eight years in a row he has been named as one of the, Leaders in Continuing Education, by Dentistry Today magazine. He also received the 1999 Gordon J. Christensen Lecturer Recognition Award. He writes the Dental Drug Booklet, a succinct handout and reference on commonly prescribed dental medications.

Highlights

Increased regulation of current drugs: e.g. the new guidelines for narcotic prescription.
Better referencing, protocols, guidelines, and recommendations for drug use. For example, antibiotic stewardship: a better understanding of how, when, and for how long to use antibiotics.
The use of drug referencing systems that are built into the dental practice management software.
There will be an expansion in over-the-counter medications, such as antiviral medications.
There probably will be no new drugs/pain medications; however, we expect to see better oral healing rinses, better hemostasis rinses, better dry mouth management, and possible inflammation regulators in periodontics.
Probable new enthusiasm for “natural” products.