Managing Dental Emergencies Like a Pro
Monday, Oct. 1
9:30–9:55 a.m.
SDCC, Room 29A

Emergency physicians should think beyond cavities when they assess dental pain. Better understanding of the causes of dental pain can help improve treatment in the emergency department.

The session “Managing Dental Emergencies Like a Pro” will help you look more globally at dental pain, said Joan Noelker, MD, MACM, assistant professor in emergency medicine at Washington University in St. Louis.

The causes of dental emergencies can be broadly divided into dental, such as primary tooth issues, versus nondental, such as other conditions that can lead to tooth pain, Dr. Noelker said.

“Specifically, I’ll discuss dental infections and trauma and serious causes of referred pain, such as neoplasm; ear, nose, and throat (ENT) infections; and, importantly, coronary syndrome,” she said. Common conditions related to dental pain that Dr. Noelker will discuss include periapical abscess, dental caries, referred pain from sinusitis, and dental fractures.

Dr. Noelker’s talk will discuss management strategies for several common dental problems, including:

• Trauma: fracture cementing and management of avulsions.
• Pain management strategies to avoid excess narcotic prescriptions.
• Acute management of dental emergencies including indications for transfer for emergent ENT/oral and maxillofacial consultation and IV antibiotic regimens.
• Novel oral anticoagulant reversal and hemorrhage control strategies.

Vanessa Caceres is a freelance medical writer and editor based in Florida.