Chemical Dependency: An Important and Often Required CE Topic
by Caitlin Denison, BS, RDH
Chemical dependency, or substance abuse disorder, may seem like a condition far removed from the dental operatory. In fact, not only are we likely to encounter patients suffering from this disease, but we are also in a unique position to identify substance abuse in patients, help educate them, and provide them with resources.
Substance abuse disorder is a common and deadly disease. In 2022 48.7 million Americans 12 years of age and older suffered from this disorder.1 In 2024 the United States recorded 96,801 drug overdose deaths2.
Being aware of the signs and symptoms of substance abuse can not only help us direct our patients to resources but may also inform our treatment decisions, as some substances have significant impacts on the oral cavity. Take for example stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine, which can cause bruxism resulting in broken teeth and restorations. Other substances, like alcohol, may contribute to periodontal disease3.
Fully understanding chemical dependency is so vital to safe practice that some states require licensed dental professionals to obtain continuing education (CE) hours on this topic. In some states, like Kentucky and Connecticut, only dentists are required to obtain these CEs. While in others, like West Virginia and Tennessee, all dental professionals must meet this requirement4. If you are unsure of the requirements in your state, check your Board of Dentistry Regulations. A list of state board of dentistry pages can be found here.
Dentists who can prescribe controlled substances must also ensure compliance with the DEA MATE Act, which includes a one-time eight-hour CE requirement on the topic of treating and managing patients with substance use disorders. More information on this requirement can be found here.
Luckily for dental professionals wishing to deepen their knowledge about chemical dependency, continuing education courses on the topic are ubiquitous online and are often offered at larger dental conferences.
Modern Practice Solutions offers chemical dependency CEs in a variety of different formats. Regardless of where you choose to obtain your course, remember to check your state requirements to ensure that the course covers the required topics.
Resources
[1] DentalCare. (n.d.). Causative factors or etiology. Retrieved March 21, 2025, from https://www.dentalcare.com/en-us/ce-courses/ce545/causative-factors-or-etiology
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Drug overdose deaths. Retrieved March 21, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htm
[3] Lages, E.J.P., Costa, F.O., Cortelli, S.C., Cortelli, J.R., Cota, L.O.M., Cyrino, R.M., Lages, E.M.B., Nobre-Franco, G.C., Brito, J.A.R. and Gomez, R.S. (2015), Alcohol Consumption and Periodontitis: Quantification of Periodontal Pathogens and Cytokines. Journal of Periodontology, 86: 1058-1068. https://doi.org/10.1902/jop.2015.150087
[4] MyDentalCE. (n.d.). CE requirements by state. Retrieved March 21, 2025, from https://www.mydentalce.com/pages/ce-requirements-by-state-1
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