Summary
Are you recording medication histories that include CBD oil, brain nutrients, curcumin, probiotics or elderberry? Do your patients ask you to recommend only “natural” oral health products? The resurgence of herbal medicine has produced confusion and conflict among health care
Patients mistakenly equate the terms “natural” and “standardized” with safe and effective. Many patients have embraced nontraditional medicine as a way to become “co-therapists” in their disease state management. Dental professionals must avoid making negative generalizations about alternative therapies in order to stay involved in the therapeutic decision-making process. During this program, we will discuss the herbal landscape which includes laws and regulations as well as the qualifications of naturopaths and herbalists. A list of reliable science-based references will be included to provide ongoing clinical support for rational decisions related to herbal products. The twenty most popular systemic herbs will be evaluated for dental impact including effect on bleeding, wound healing, intraoral effects, and interactions with dental drugs. We will also take a detailed look at herbal products promoted for treatment of oral diseases including gingivitis, periodontitis, aphthous stomatitis, and herpes simplex gingivostomatitis. Agents such as Coenzyme Q-10, aloe vera, green tea extract, natural essential oils, melaleuca, and goldenseal will be critiqued for safety and effectiveness in the treatment of oral disease. Product-specific information including ingredients, manufacturer claims, and fluoride content will be provided along with product recommendations based on patient characteristics. We will conclude by discussing step-wise strategies for evaluating and managing patients taking herbal medications. A practical and detailed handout will be provided to allow participants to apply this information to their practice.
Learning Objectives:
Buy and use a science-based herbal reference and recommend information sources for patients.
Describe valid medical uses for the top twenty systemic herbal medications.
Recognize the dental impact of common systemic herbal medications and dietary supplements.
Select specific herbal oral health products with reasonable claims and safe ingredients.
Discuss the effectiveness of herbal therapies and dietary supplements on gingivitis and periodontitis.
