Richard L. Wynn, PhD, is professor emeritus of pharmacology in the Department of Neural and Pain Sciences at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry.

He is a nationally recognized speaker, author, columnist, and consultant on dental drug therapeutics and drug information for the dental professional. He is the lead author of the most recognized chairside dental drug reference book, Drug Information Handbook for Dentistry, now in its 29th edition.

Dr. Wynn keeps the dental profession informed about current issues relative to drugs in dentistry, including new therapeutic agents, new drug interactions, and newly reported adverse reactions in dental patients. He researches the literature daily for new reports of interest to the profession.  

The "Oral Sedation Pharmacology" course is a comprehensive continuing dental education series designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of dental professionals in the field of sedation pharmacology. This course consists of five independent programs, each divided into two parts, covering a total of ten essential topics. Each topic is presented as a self-instructional program, making it convenient for participants to complete at their own pace. This course is ideal for dental professionals, including general dentists, oral surgeons, and dental hygienists, seeking to expand their knowledge and competence in oral sedation pharmacology.

Each of the five programs focuses on distinct aspects of oral sedation pharmacology, including drug mechanisms, clinical applications, safety considerations, and the pharmacology of specific sedative agents. The programs are structured to provide a deep understanding of the various pharmacological principles and practices necessary for effective and safe oral sedation in dental procedures.

The five programs are designed to be independent of one another, allowing participants to enroll in any number of programs and complete them in any order. This flexibility accommodates individual learning preferences and schedules, making it easier for dental professionals to earn continuing education credits while enhancing their expertise in oral sedation.

• Program One: Introduction and History of Oral Sedation
  • Part 1: Orientation and Definitions
  • Part 2: Drug Overview and History
• Program Two: Nitrous Oxide Pharmacology; Drug Interactions
  • Part 1: Nitrous Oxide Pharmacology
  • Part 2: Drug Interactions with Oral Sedatives
• Program Three: Local Anesthetics and Sedation Mechanisms
  • Part 1: Local Anesthetics for Oral Sedation
  • Part 2: Sedation Drug Mechanisms
• Program Four: Oral Administration and Benzodiazepines
  • Part 1: Oral Administration of Drugs, Kinetics and Metabolism
  • Part 2: Benzodiazepine Clinical Applications
• Program Five: Advanced Sedation Techniques
  • Part 1: Multimodal Sedation Strategies
  • Part 2: Management of Sedation Complications

Upon completion of each program, participants will gain:

• A thorough understanding of the pharmacological principles underlying oral sedation.
• Insights into patient assessment and risk management for sedation.
• Knowledge of the pharmacology and clinical applications of specific sedatives, including nitrous oxide, benzodiazepines, and local anesthetics.
• The ability to identify and manage drug interactions and sedation-related complications.

Upon completion of the online course, participants are required to pass an online post-course assessment with a minimum grade of 75%.

Once the online course has been accessed, no refunds will be provided.

Cancellation and Refund Policies