Under the guidance of Ernie Luce, DDS, 139 Texas dentists met an important requirement on opioid prescribing from the comfort of their offices in March.

A live webinar, “Opioid Prescribing for Dentists,” helped attendees meet the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) requirement for prescribing controlled substances and gain two CE hours in the process. Member and non-member dentists gained insight from Luce, a San Antonio professor, into the nature of opioid abuse in the U.S., an appreciation of how opioid prescribing patterns improve or worsen this problem, and tactics on how to effectively manage pain in patients while limiting the potential for opioid misuse.

Every three years in Texas, dentists who are permitted by the Drug Enforcement Agency to prescribe controlled substances must meet the two-hour CE requirement on the abuse and misuse and opioid prescription practices of pharmacology (TSBDE rule 111.1).

Some feedback from the course:

“Definitely timely! Substance abuse is certainly a problem where I practice, and I will be more proactive in addressing this, both in my own functions as a prescriber and in terms of providing educational material for patients.”

“I thought Dr. Luce did an excellent job, and he kept my attention. He presented subject matter that, as dentists, we all need to take seriously.”

Francine Johannesen, Texas AGD executive director, said of the course, “Through our advocacy program, the Texas AGD has been monitoring the TSBDE CE requirements to ensure we remain a market leader in providing courses that are needed for both members and non-members across the state. With the mission of helping general dentists succeed, the Education and Membership Committee created a strategy that met two goals: to help Texas dentists meet the CE requirement and to utilize the webinar as a retention and attraction tool for membership.”

The Texas AGD online courses are just one of many educational opportunities offered to members at the state and local levels. Check out what else is happening at Texas AGD at TAGD.org/Events.

Luce holds an appointment in the department of general dentistry at the University of Texas Health San Antonio School of Dentistry. His professional interests are focused on the teaching of management of medically compromised patients in the dental office and the safe delivery of minimal and moderate sedation, both enteral and parenteral.