Saturday October 22, 2011 8:30am-12:30pm
Oral Bisphosphonate Use and The Prevalence of Osteonecrosis of The Jaw
Dr. Chuck Shuler
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COURSE OUTLINE
The prevalence of oral bisphosphonate use by dental patients is rapidly increasing. Bisphosphonates are prescribed for treatment of a variety of medical conditions but their effectiveness in preventing side effects of osteoporosis has led to a dramatic increase in their use. A side effect of bisphosphonate use is the development of osteonecrosis of the jaws following trauma to oral tissues. This occurs only in craniofacial bones and the causes have started to become better understood. The presentation will examine the use of bisphosphonates and the linkage of these medications to osteonecrosis. Observations of the cases, causes of the osteonecrosis and approaches to prevent this side effect will be discussed.
Learning Objectives
1. To recognize the clinical features of osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ)
2. To list the risk factors to the development of ONJ
3. To define the mechanism of action of action of bisphosphonates
4. To identify the link between microbial biofilms, bisphosphonates and ONJ
5. To recommend the appropriate clinical strategies to prevent ONJ
BIOGRAPHY
Charles F. Shuler, D.M.D., Ph.D. is the Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of British Columbia. Prior to UBC he was a faculty member at the University of Southern California for 18 years. At USC he served as the Director of the University of Southern California Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology holding an endowed chair position as the George and Mary Lou Boone Professor of Craniofacial Molecular Biology. He also served as the Director of the Graduate Program in Craniofacial Biology and the Associate Dean for Student and Academic Affairs at the USC School of Dentistry. Dr. Shuler received his B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin, his D.M.D. from Harvard School of Dental Medicine, his Ph.D. in Pathology from the University of Chicago and his Oral Pathology specialty education at the University of Minnesota and the Royal Dental College Copenhagen Denmark. His current research interests include craniofacial development, oral carcinogenesis and gene therapy.
Charles F. Shuler, D.M.D., Ph.D. is the Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of British Columbia. Prior to UBC he was a faculty member at the University of Southern California for 18 years where he served as Director of the University of Southern California Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology. His current research interests include craniofacial development, oral carcinogenesis and gene therapy.