Earn 3 CE credits This course was written for dentists, dental hygienists, and assistants. Management of the Oral Infection: Part 1 A Peer-Reviewed Publication Written by Ian Shuman, DDS, MAGD, AFAAID © Stiggdriver | Dreamstime.com © Stiggdriver Abstract Educational Objectives Author Profile This two-part course will review the management At the conclusion of this educational Ian Shuman DDS, MAGD, AFAAID maintains a full-time general, of the acute oral infection. Part one focuses on the activity participants will be able to: reconstructive, and aesthetic dental practice in Pasadena, Maryland. essentials that must be considered when treating 1. Describe the features of oral Since 1995 Dr. Shuman has lectured and published on advanced, the dental infection including microbiology, triage, microbiology as they relate to oral minimally invasive techniques. He has taught these procedures to anatomy, and laboratory testing. It includes the infection. thousands of dentists and developed many of the methods. Dr. Shuman surgical, antibiotic, and palliative actions needed in 2. Identify the clinical issues related to has published numerous articles on topics including adhesive resin den- tistry, minimally invasive restorative, cosmetic and implant dentistry. the treatment of the acute dental abscess. Part two dental infection. He is a Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, an Associate Fellow will emphasize the treatment of oral infections due to 3. Describe the various strategies for of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, a Fellow of the Pierre fungal, viral, and bacterial organisms. treating the acute dental abscess. Fauchard Academy. Dr. Shuman was named one of the Top Clinicians in Continuing Education since 2005, by Dentistry Today. Author Disclosure Dr. Shuman has no commercial ties with the sponsors or the providers of the unrestricted educational grant for this course. INSTANT EXAM CODE 15152 Go Green, Go Online to take your course Publication date: Feb. 2017 Supplement to PennWell Publications Expiration date: Jan. 2020 This educational activity was developed by PennWell’s Dental Group with no commercial support. This course was written for dentists, dental hygienists and assistants, from novice to skilled. Educational Methods: This course is a self-instructional journal and web activity. Provider Disclosure: PennWell does not have a leadership position or a commercial interest in any products or services discussed or shared in this educational activity nor with the commercial supporter. No manufacturer or third party has had any input into the development of course content. Requirements for Successful Completion: To obtain 3 CE credits for this educational activity you must pay the required fee, review the material, complete the course evaluation and obtain a score of at least 70%. CE Planner Disclosure: Heather Hodges, CE Coordinator does not have a leadership or commercial interest with products PennWell designates this activity for 3 continuing educational credits. or services discussed in this educational activity. Heather can be reached at [email protected] Educational Disclaimer: Completing a single continuing education course does not provide enough information to result Dental Board of California: Provider 4527, course registration number CA# 03-4527-15152 in the participant being an expert in the field related to the course topic. It is a combination of many educational courses “This course meets the Dental Board of California’s requirements for 3 units of continuing education.” and clinical experience that allows the participant to develop skills and expertise. Image Authenticity Statement: The images in this educational activity have not been altered. The PennWell Corporation is designated as an Approved PACE Program Provider by the Scientific Integrity Statement: Information shared in this CE course is developed from clinical research and represents Academy of General Dentistry. The formal continuing dental education programs of this the most current information available from evidence based dentistry. program provider are accepted by the AGD for Fellowship, Mastership and membership Known Benefits and Limitations of the Data: The information presented in this educational activity is derived from the data and information contained in reference section. The research data is extensive and provides direct benefit to the patient maintenance credit. Approval does not imply acceptance by a state or provincial board of and improvements in oral health. dentistry or AGD endorsement. The current term of approval extends from (11/1/2015) to Registration: The cost of this CE course is $59.00 for 3 CE credits. (10/31/2019) Provider ID# 320452. Cancellation/Refund Policy: Any participant who is not 100% satisfied with this course can request a full refund by contacting PennWell in writing. Educational Objectives within each biofilm substrate. Biofilm is a combination of At the conclusion of this educational activity participants will bacteria, extracellular DNA, protein, and polysaccharides that be able to: rapidly accumulate intraorally. If left undisturbed for several 1. Describe the features of oral microbiology as they relate to days, a biofilm may contain up to 1011 microorganisms/mL.7 In oral infection. relation to this fact, oral hard tissue disease in the form of apical 2. Identify the clinical issues related to dental infection. periodontal infection and marginal periodontitis has been as- 3. Describe the various strategies for treating the acute dental sociated with 200 to 500 bacterial species.8,9,10 abscess. Bacterial interaction within a biofilm may either boost or suppress metabolic activity that leads to dental infection. Many Abstract factors regulate the number and types of oral bacteria within This two-part course will review the management of the acute biofilm including the complexity of the flora, bacterial reten- oral infection. Part one focuses on the essentials that must be tion and interaction, native resistance, saliva, hygiene, and diet. considered when treating the dental infection including micro- For example, a carbohydrate-rich diet favors bacteria such as biology, triage, anatomy, and laboratory testing. It includes the Streptococcus mutans, an organism that causes dental caries. surgical, antibiotic, and palliative actions needed in the treat- Diet consistency is also important because coarser foods can ment of the acute dental abscess. Part two will emphasize the help to eliminate lodged food particles and disrupt the biofilm treatment of oral infections due to fungal, viral, and bacterial that can support microorganisms. In addition, oral bacteria have organisms. regional preferences vis-à-vis tissue adherence; Streptococcus salivarius is found primarily on the tongue while S. mutans and Introduction Streptococcus sanguis typically adhere to hard surfaces.11 The frequency of periapical abscess is supported by a volume The presence of systemic disease also influences the oral of statistical proof. The results of a nine-year retrospective microbial population. Host defense mechanisms can be com- study (2000–2008) of hospital admissions showed that more promised by conditions such as diabetes, heart failure, chronic than 61,000 hospitalizations in the United States were directly lung disease, lymphoproliferative disorders, renal failure, related to dental infection in the form of periapical abscess.1 malnutrition and alcoholism, among others. This compromise Sixty-six patient deaths were attributed to these infections.2 of the immune function can lead to a reduction in phagocytic Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample of the Healthcare Cost activity, pulmonary clearance and circulation, among others. and Utilization Project, a 2007 study conducted by Allareddy Immunosuppressant medications that are cytotoxic also reduce et al,3 it was found that there were 7,886 hospitalizations for host defense mechanisms and increase the risk of infection. periapical abscess in the United States, amounting to total hos- Prolonged systemic antibiotic therapy reduces normal bacte- pital costs of $105.8 million. rial flora, resulting in the selection of resistant flora and/or The Global Burden of Disease Study in 2010 showed that the emergence of competing fungal organisms. Other factors cleft lip/palate, edentulism, oral cancer, caries, and periodontal associated with oral infection include age, behavioral consid- disease accounted for over 18 million disability-adjusted life erations, drug abuse, the social environment, and the patient’s years.4 Evaluation of the global burden of oral diseases such psychological status. as caries, periodontal disease, and cancer showed a marked A further consideration is the concept of virulence. increase of 45.6% from 1990 to 2010, on par with major non- Virulence is a harmful quality possessed by microorganisms communicable diseases such as diabetes.3 Dentists are usu- that can cause disease. It involves the invasive nature of the ally the first to see patients with early odontogenic infections. organism and the detrimental toxins and/or metabolic and Therefore, it is vital that they be prepared to evaluate and treat enzymatic byproducts produced in the course of the infectious problems before they become severe enough to demand hospi- process. Infection involves the interactions of microbial popu- talization.5 lations, microbial virulence, and host defenses. Intraorally, host defenses are part of the mucosal immune system, an important The complexities of