Travel & Learn – CE Pharmacology & Land Tour to Prague, Vienna & Budapest

Mark Donaldson, BSP, RPH, PHARMD, FASHP, FACHE

Lecture

This is a travel program that takes place in Prague, Czech Republic; Vienna, Austria and Budapest, Hungary

Together with partnering schools in the ACDE (Association for Continuing Dental Education), the University of Washington Office of Continuing Dental Education is offering a Travel & Learn experience to Prague, Vienna and Budapest, plus the opportunity to earn 9 CDE hours on topics in Dental Pharmacology, presented by Dr. Mark Donaldson. Please see the below for details on the itinerary, class and locations. Info on the class is listed below as well.

REGISTER HERE
Please use registration code UWASH2026 for University of Washington

Space is Limited – and is expected to sell out quickly.

Course Description

This three-part presentation will cover important topics in dental pharmacology.

Part 1: Money Makes the World Go Round, But Drugs Can Make it Spin!
Patient Assessment and Drug Interactions

Did you know that more than 20% of hospital admissions are due to adverse drug reactions? Just because dentists prescribe less than 10% of all available drugs, your patients may be taking others from the 90% with which you are not familiar. Since polypharmacy is the norm, especially in the over 65 year old population, this course should be considered essential to every practice setting today.

Do you have patients who are already on one prescription medication before they come to your office? How about four prescription medications? Did you know that the likelihood of a drug interaction in a patient on five medications is greater than 50%? What if you are the prescriber who writes that fifth prescription? With so many new medications, herbal products, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements available on the market, how can you be confident that the prescription you write is compatible with what your patient is currently taking?

This interactive program looks at some of the more common drugs and drug interactions and their management with a particular focus on the dental realm. Case studies will augment the delivery of key points and a problem-based learning approach is encouraged so that each participant’s questions are addressed. The program will conclude with a discussion of references and demonstration of some available databases. After all, when an adverse drug reaction occurs due to a drug interaction, who is more at risk – you or your patient?

Objectives to be covered:

• Describe the potential for drug-drug interactions and articulate strategies to avoid or manage them.
• Understand the principles of drug metabolism including liver enzyme induction and inhibition.
• Discuss the role of cytochrome P450 isoenzymes in the liver with respect to drug metabolism.
• Describe at least three disease states attributable for induced metabolism and three disease states attributable for inhibited metabolism.
• Recognize reputable databases and references and how to utilize these tools to evaluate drug therapies and herbal interactions.

Part 2: Oh the Pus! Oh the Pain!
Appropriate Antibiotic and Analgesic Prescribing

Wouldn’t it be nice to go to a continuing education program that gives you the tools to be more successful starting on Monday morning? Wouldn’t it be great to be known as the dentist who offers excellent pain-free, post-operative care without the use of narcotics? Wouldn’t you like to be more confident in all of your prescription writing, knowing that you are on the cutting edge, that you are evidence-based and that you are guideline-driven? This is that program.

In 2010, enough opioids were sold to medicate each American adult at a dose of 5mg of Hydrocodone every four hours for one month. You do not want to be part of this problem. Remember the Spiderman Principle that, “with great power there must also come – great responsibility.” And what about all of those new antibiotics you keep hearing about? Are they really the latest and greatest? Are there really new guidelines when it comes to antibiotic prophylaxis?

This interactive program looks at the appropriate prescribing of analgesics and antibiotics with a particular focus on the dental realm. Case studies will augment the delivery of key points and a problem-based learning approach is encouraged so that each participant’s questions are addressed.

Objectives to be covered:

• Discuss the pathophysiology of pain as it relates to dentistry.
• Understand the perfect analgesic recipe to keep (almost) all of your patients out of pain – first time, every time.
• Describe the different types of antibiotics available and how to match the right drug to the right bug.
• Know the appropriate approach to patients at risk of SBE and which of your orthopedic patients really require antibiotic prophylaxis.
• Learn how to help make all of your appointments successful for you, your Team and your patients.

Part 3: I Want My Mommy! (“Somebody call 9-1-1…”)
Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office: What’s in your medical emergency kit and why?

Medical emergencies are defined as any condition that if left untreated may lead to patient morbidity or mortality. However if your definition of an emergency is any condition of a patient that raises your blood pressure or pulse rate – then you need to take this course.

Medical emergencies happen. Studies estimate that on average a practitioner will be faced with a medical emergency in the dental office at least once every two years. Some of these occurrences can be minor; some of these situations can be life-threatening. The good news for practitioners is that 75% of emergencies can be mitigated with good local anesthesia (pain control) and good stress reduction (sedation). For those few instances when an appropriate response could be life-saving, each practitioner must be prepared with a properly equipped emergency drug kit. The purpose of the course is to emphasize patient safety, and educate you on the seven essential drugs you must be familiar with to manage any medical emergency. Even though the right answer always includes dialing 9-1-1, you can start the chain of survival in your office.

Objectives to be covered:

• Recognize the most common medical emergencies in the dental office.
• Understand the importance of preparation and practicing with your Team.
• Learn how to manage the most common medical emergencies in the dental office.
• Know how to prepare the minimal dental emergency kit to include seven essential drugs.
• Know how to use the essential drugs recommended for the minimal dental emergency kit.

Instructor

Mark Donaldson received his baccalaureate degree from the University of British Columbia and his Doctorate in Clinical Pharmacy from the University of Washington. He completed a residency at Vancouver General Hospital, and has practiced as a clinical pharmacy specialist, clinical coordinator and director of pharmacy services at many healthcare organizations in both Canada and the United States. He is currently the Associate Principal of Clinical Pharmacy for Vizient’s Advisory Solutions, and lives in Whitefish, Montana.

Dr. Donaldson is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Montana in Missoula, and Clinical Associate Professor in the School of Dentistry at the Oregon Health & Sciences University in Portland, Oregon. He has a special interest in dental pharmacology and has lectured internationally to both dental and medical practitioners. He has spent the last 20 years focusing on dental pharmacology and dental therapeutics, and is a leader in the field.

Dr. Donaldson has published numerous peer-reviewed works and textbook chapters. He currently serves on the Editorial Board for the Journal Healthcare Executive and the Journal of the American Dental Association and is a reviewer for over ten other different journals. He is board certified in healthcare management and is the Past-President and current Regent of the American College of Healthcare Executives’ Montana Chapter. Dr. Donaldson was named as the 2014 recipient of the Bowl of Hygeia for the state of Montana and is the 2016 recipient of the Dr. Thaddeus V. Weclew Award. This award is conferred upon an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the medical, dental and pharmacy literature.

Travel & Learn and Course Logistics

DATE:
May 30 – June 7, 2026

LOCATION:
Prague, Czech Republic; Vienna, Austria and Budapest, Hungary

TARGET AUDIENCE:
This course is designed for dental professionals and lovers of travel and history

TIMES:
Please see itinerary for an overview of what happens on which days. More details to follow.

TUITION:
$5995 per person for land travel and hotel, based on double occupancy
$595 for CDE class – 9 hours of CDE

CREDITS:
9 hours

Prague, the enchanting capital of the Czech Republic, is a city of fairytale charm and rich history. Known as the “City of a Hundred Spires,” it captivates visitors with its stunning Gothic and Baroque architecture, winding cobblestone streets, and the majestic Prague Castle overlooking the Vltava River. From the astronomical clock in Old Town Square to the romantic Charles Bridge, Prague offers a magical blend of medieval atmosphere and vibrant modern culture. Plus, the best beer in Europe!

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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
This Travel & Learn class is booked through Cruise and Travel Partners and will have a different cancellation policy. Please see the website for details.

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.

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University of Washington
Continuing Dental Education
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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 9 continuing education credits.