In person course at the University of Washington School of Dentistry
Karen Baker, MS Pharm, RPh

Morning Presentation Description
Advances in Dental Pharmacotherapy: How to Maximize Success While Limiting Risk in Everyday Practice
Antibiotic stewardship has taken on new importance with the emergence of superbugs and the decline in effective and available oral antibiotics. Karen will update the dental team on recent developments in dental antibiotic prescribing and outline strategies for prescribing to ensure therapeutic success with minimum risk. Karen will discuss difficult questions about antibiotic prophylaxis and all relevant guidelines and decision tools will be included. Opioid prescribing remains controversial, especially in young, opioid naïve patients. We will explore alternatives and strategies that benefit patients and reflect positively on your practice. Extensive and current handouts will maximize the chairside value of this fast-paced and entertaining lecture.
Course Objectives
As a result of attending the morning session, you will be able to:
- Select regimens for odontogenic infections based on allergies, intolerances, effectiveness, Black Box Warnings, and guidelines.
- Prescribe antibiotic premedication for certain patients with a variety of implants including cardiac and orthopedic devices.
- Discuss the pros and cons of prophylactic antibiotics for implant placement, tooth extractions, and other surgical procedures.
- Discuss the extent of the opioid substance use disorder problem in the US.
- Examine the role of dental opioid prescribing in contributing to the opioid epidemic.
- Explain the relative effectiveness of non-opioid and opioid agents in acute pain.
- Discuss benefits vs risks of specific pain control regimens for effective dental analgesia.
- List the top five drug interactions every dental clinician should know about.
Afternoon Presentation Description
Homecare Fads vs. Facts: Counsel Your Patients for Success!
Is nano-hydroxyapatite better than fluoride? Is charcoal the best whitener? Why is my oral tissue sloughing after product use? What works fastest and best for sensitivity? How can I get some relief from this dry mouth and the bad breath that goes with it? Patients ask you questions about home use dental products more frequently than they ask about any other oral health subject. They need your professional guidance now more than ever in making the best choices based on their unique set of circumstances. Ms. Baker will compare manufacturer claims and objective clinical data concerning chemotherapeutic products for gingivitis, detoxification, remineralization and calculus reduction. Both mechanical and chemical products for halitosis treatment will be listed and evaluated. Toothpastes claiming everything from enamel restoration to “5 shades whiter” will be listed in detailed tables to be used as a chairside reference when questions arise. The safety and effectiveness of controversial ingredients such as activated charcoal, antioxidants, polyphenols, xylitol, ozone, nano-hydroxyapatite, edathamil, melaleuca, and oil pulling will be reviewed. Product selection strategies based on patient-specific risks and benefits will be emphasized for every product category. An extensive and very current handout that will help you design optimal homecare regimens based on patient specific factors accompanies this entertaining yet comprehensive summary of product information.
Course Objectives
As a result of attending the afternoon session, you will be able to:
- Recommend a mouthrinse based on patient factors such as xerostomia and caries risk.
- Select a dentifrice for a specific patient based on caries risk, gingivitis or calculus reduction, sensitivity reduction, abrasiveness, cleaning ability, staining and safety with chronic use.
- Choose the most effective mechanical and chemical treatments for halitosis.
- Select an “alternative” homecare product line based on effective ingredients and reasonable manufacturer claims.
Instructor
Karen Baker has been on the Dental College faculty at the University of Iowa for over 35 years and occupies a unique role in dental practice and education. She is a clinical pharmacist with a Master’s degree in clinical pharmacology and therapeutics and is focused on patient-specific dental drug therapy. She has given well over 1000 invited programs nationally and internationally and holds memberships in many dental and clinical pharmacology and therapeutics organizations. Her dental education-based pharmacy and drug therapy consultation center is the only one in the United States. She has authored more than 50 articles and abstracts and lectures extensively in pre-doctoral and graduate courses at the University of Iowa.
Disclosures:
- Ms. Baker has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
- The staff of the University of Washington Office of Continuing Dental Education have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Course Logistics
DATE:
Saturday, April 5, 2025
LOCATION:
University of Washington
Health Sciences Center
Turner Auditorium, Room D-209
Seattle, Washington 98195
TARGET AUDIENCE:
This course is applicable for all dental professionals.
TIMES:
Registration and Continental Breakfast: 8:00am – 8:30am
Course: 8:30am – 4:30pm
TUITION – price includes lunch for in person attendees:
Until April 2, 2025(after, $50 more)
$309/Dentist
$199/Team member (hygienist, dental assistant, etc.)
$278/Current Dental Alumni Member
* This course is eligible for a 10% tuition discount if you are a current member of the UW Dental Alumni Association.
CREDITS:
7 hours
Conflict of Interest
In accordance with the ADA CERP Standard V., everyone involved in planning or presenting this educational activity will be required to disclose any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests and this information will be made available to participants at the start of the course.
As a continuing education provider, University of Washington Continuing Dental Education is responsible for ensuring the content, quality and scientific integrity of all continuing dental education activities for which credit is provided. The School is also responsible for taking steps to protect against and/or disclose any conflict of interest of the faculty/instructors presenting those courses.
Cancellation and Refunds
For this live lecture, a registration refund, less a $50 fee, will be issued for cancellations received by Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Online registrations close Wednesday, April 2, 2025 so that we can prepare course materials on Thursday; however, you can still register at the door on Friday (if you could call or send an email giving us a heads up, that would be appreciated). Cancellations must be received in email to dentalce@uw.edu The cancellation request must include: the name of the course, name of the person registered, name of the person requesting the cancellation, and the reason for the cancellation.
By providing my information, I consent to receive communication via mail, email, fax, and phone from the University of Washington Continuing Dental Education office. The Continuing Dental Education office will not share your information with anyone.
Dental education institutions have an obligation to disseminate new knowledge related to dental practice. In so doing, some presentations may include controversial materials or commercial references. Sponsorship of a continuing education course by the University of Washington does not necessarily imply endorsement of a particular philosophy, procedure, or product by this institution.
The University of Washington Continuing Dental Education cautions continuing dental education participants that there are potential risks of using limited knowledge when incorporating new techniques and procedures into the practice of dentistry, especially when the continuing education course has not provided supervised clinical experience and/or competency tests in the techniques or procedures.
Contact Us
Register for Courses
Have a question or need help registering for a course? Contact us.
Local: (206) 543-5448
Toll Free: (866) 791-1278
Email: dentalce@uw.edu
University of Washington
Continuing Dental Education
Box 357137
Seattle, WA 98195-7137
The University of Washington is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.
ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.
The University of Washington is a member of the Association for Continuing Dental Education.
University of Washington designates this activity for 7 continuing education credits.