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2 weeks ago | 
dentistryiq.com | Pamela Maragliano-Muniz |Tom Viola
What’s this we’re hearing about opioids not being as effective as the combination of acetaminophen and ibuprofen? A randomized Rutgers health study of 1,800 patients who had third molar extractions found that patients who received a combination of acetaminophen and ibuprofen had better pain relief through days one and two postsurgery than the patients who received hydrocodone and acetaminophen. At no time was the hydrocodone considered better than the acetaminophen-ibuprofen combo.
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2 weeks ago | 
dentistryiq.com | Pamela Maragliano-Muniz |Tom Viola
What do you do when you suspect your employee or coworker is under the influence of cannabis in your office—with or without the telltale smell? Why would a dental professional even use cannabis? Dentistry is hard. What used to be a recreational drug may now have become an operational drug. They may actually use the drug to help them get through the busy day ahead.
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1 month ago | 
dentistryiq.com | Pamela Maragliano-Muniz |Tom Viola
What do we do when a patient tells us something different than what they documented on their medical history? For example, I have a patient who disclosed in their medical history that they have an allergy to penicillin. Then they called me and asked for a prescription for amoxicillin because they had pain in their mouth. Who wins? Verbal or written documentation? Join us in this episode of Medical History Mysteries as we talk about protocols to follow in this type of situation.
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1 month ago | 
dentistryiq.com | Pamela Maragliano-Muniz |Tom Viola
There are three medications patients take that will tip us off to the fact that they are in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) of opioid addiction. We absolutely must be aware of what our patients are taking and what’s on their medical histories. Further, we must look up our patients on the prescription drug monitoring program to find out what they’re taking, particularly because they may not disclose that information to us.
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1 month ago | 
dentistryiq.com | Pamela Maragliano-Muniz |Tom Viola
We are continuing our coverage of dental professionals are humans, too, so with that being said, what happens if you have a patient rinse with an alcohol-based mouth rinse, and then it occurs to you that they are in recovery for alcoholism? First, how do you know the patient is in recovery? Patients may not want to disclose that information, and in some states and municipalities it’s protected by law, so you may not be allowed to ask.
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1 month ago | 
dentistryiq.com | Pamela Maragliano-Muniz |Tom Viola
What happens if you accidentally administer the wrong anesthetic to a pregnant patient? What if the patient is pregnant and doesn’t disclose it to you? This underscores the importance of having questions on your medical history forms about pregnancy as well as whether the patient is nursing. This may also be a good opportunity to consult the advice of your patient’s obstetrician about safe anesthesia.
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2 months ago | 
dentistryiq.com | Pamela Maragliano-Muniz |Tom Viola
An attorney shared a case study of a patient who took bisphosphonates and, due to a miscommunication in the practice, an implant was placed … and the patient ended up experiencing implant failure. The patient then turned around and sued the dentist. According to the article, the patient did not disclose that they were taking bisphosphonates prior to the implant placement and signed off on the medical history.
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2 months ago | 
dentistryiq.com | Pamela Maragliano-Muniz |Tom Viola
What happens if a patient forgets to premedicate, you forget to ask about it, and then you start the appointment? Mistakes happen, but it’s important to have a protocol for dealing with these types of situations when they occur. The guidelines for infective endocarditis prophylaxis say that if a patient forgets their dose prior to the appointment, they can take it two hours after the appointment. But will the patient remember to take their medication?
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2 months ago | 
dentistryiq.com | Pamela Maragliano-Muniz |Tom Viola
My coresident in my residency always said, “Herpes gets the last laugh.” As dental professionals, we see herpes in our patients all the time, whether it’s on their lips or inside their mouth. As a virus, herpes tends to hide itself in places where it’s very difficult to treat. But you can take steps to make sure that the outbreak is from limited to none. Join us in Medical History Mysteries as we take a closer look at this incredibly painful condition.
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Jan 21, 2025 | 
dentistryiq.com | Pamela Maragliano-Muniz |Tom Viola
What’s new in the world of antifungals? The agents we use in the treatment of oral candidiasis and fungal pharyngitis (less often diagnosed) haven’t changed for years. But there are some considerations when selecting various antifungals to use in treatment. Join us in this episode of Medical History Mysteries as we look at how to effectively treat patients with oral thrush.
