TODS FEATURED SPEAKER
TAKE IT ON THE RUN BABY – STREET DRUGS & OTHER SUBSTANCES OF ABUSE: PATIENT CARE CONSIDERATIONS
Mr. Tom Viola, RPh
Session Date: Saturday October 24, 2025
Session Time: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Presenter Name: Mr. Tom Viola
Outline:
It’s a fast-paced world and many patients may seek the assistance of substances to cope and get through their busy, trying days.
The use and abuse of both licit and illicit substances has the potential to produce adverse reactions and life-threatening medical emergencies during dental treatment. This comprehensive program will explore strategies for identifying the dental patient using and abusing substances, as well as techniques for effective patient management and treatment. Special emphasis will be given to a discussion of patients with previously existing or current substance abuse and the impact on patients using cannabis for medical and recreational purposes.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss the impact of substance dependence and abuse on dental therapy and on overall patient health
- Identify the most common illicit and licit substances of abuse and dependence and discuss:
• Street names
• Common adverse effects
• Oral manifestations
• Dental treatment considerations - Describe techniques useful in identifying and successfully managing patient substance use and dependency
About The Speaker
Mr. Tom Viola, RPh has over 30 years of experience as a board-certified pharmacist, clinical educator, professional speaker and published author, Tom Viola has earned his international reputation as the go-to specialist for making pharmacology practical and useful for all members of the dental team. As the founder of Pharmacology Declassified, Tom’s mission is to provide clinicians valuable insight into the dental considerations of general medicine as well as the medical considerations of general dentistry. As an award-winning educator, Tom is a member of the faculty of 15 dental professional degree programs. As a widely-published author, Tom is well known for his contributions to several professional journals and pharmacology textbooks and currently serves as a consultant to the ADA’s Council on Scientific Affairs. As an award-winning speaker, Tom has been recognized by many organizations and associations as one of the most sought-after lecturers in dentistry and has presented over 1000 informative and engaging continuing education seminars and webinars to dental professionals since 2001.
