Managing Patients with Polypharmacy

Ann Eshenaur Spolarich RDH, PhD, FSCDH, Professor and Assistant Dean for Research, Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, A.T. Still University

Patients of all ages present to the dental setting with polypharmacy and polyherbacy. This program will review risk factors for polypharmacy, health risks associated with medication complexity, and strategies to improve collaborative care communications between patients and dental and medical providers to reduce the likelihood of medication errors. Specific populations for whom polypharmacy poses significant risks will be identified. Dental practice recommendations for managing affected individuals safely will be presented.

• Identify risk factors for polypharmacy and polyherbacy.
• Describe health risks associated with medical complexity, including avoidable complications such as drug and herbal and dietary supplement interactions.
• Discuss how normal physiological changes of aging influence drug prescribing behaviors.
• Identify patient populations for whom polypharmacy poses significant risks.
• Describe communication strategies for collaborative care to reduce medication errors.
• Identify dental practice management considerations to safely treat medicated patients in the dental setting.