Opioids and the Dental Industry (BODEX): Repeat of AM course

The opioid crisis is everyone`s crisis. Despite a decade of national attention fueled by federal resources, state laws, mass education and prescribing modifications, trends that alarmed us then look worse now. This talk will prepare the dental industry to develop pain management plans that maximize non-opioid therapies, educate patients on how to use and store opioids safely, identify risk factors for overdose and addiction, and understand emerging trends in youth drug use along with their impact on dental issues. This curriculum is designed to meet the three-hour state opioid educational requirements for medical license renewal.

Learning Objectives:
• Review safe opioid prescribing practices including pain management alternatives
• Understand the neurobiology that drives addiction and medications for Opioid Use Disorder
• Discuss evolving trends in youth substance use disorders and their impact on dental health

  • Course Code:S14
    Note this course code to save time when registering
  • Day:Saturday
  • Time:12:30 PM-3:30 PM
  • CE Credit:3
  • Type Of Course:Chemical Dependency/Tobacco Cessation
  • Fee:Free With Registration
  • Location:Solana H&I
  • Audience:
    Dentist Dental Hygienist Dental Assistant Business/Office Team Lab Tech
  • Seating Taken:
    61%
Speaker: Dr. Benjamin Lai

Dr. Benjamin Lai

Dr. Benjamin Lai is a Consultant and Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at Mayo Clinic. He serves as Chair of Mayo’s Opioid Stewardship Program. He has led efforts to expand office-based buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder patients at the Mayo Clinic and is involved in medical student and residency training. Dr. Lai is a member of Mayo’s Controlled Substance Advisory Group. Dr. Lai is an alumni of the Population Health Science Scholar at the Mayo Clinic Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for Science and Health Care Delivery.

Speaker: Dr. Gary Kirkilas

Dr. Gary Kirkilas

Dr. Gary Kirkilas is a pediatrician with a unique practice. His office is a 40-foot mobile medical unit that travels to various homeless shelters in Phoenix, providing free medical care to families. He serves as a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, giving commentary on trending pediatric issues in the media. As a spokesperson, he is often called to speak on the effects of cannabis and other substances on children as well as advocate for more mental health access. He and his lovely wife have four wonderful (most of the time) children and one dachshund.

Speaker: Kate Dobler

Kate Dobler, M.Ed, BS, CPM, IMH-E

Kate Dobler serves as Arizona's State Opioid Treatment Authority (SOTA) and Women's Services Network Coordinator (WSC) at AHCCCS. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona in Family and Consumer Resources with an emphasis in Child Development, a Certificate in Public Management from Arizona State University, and a master's degree in Educational Leadership - Community College and Higher Education from Northern Arizona University. Kate is an endorsed infant toddler mental health professional driven to improve the odds for our state's mothers, babies, and their families.

Speaker: Kenard Uber

Kenard Uber

Kenard “K.C.” Uber is the Director of Operations and Community Development at Avant Recovery in Tucson, Arizona, where he leverages his experience in community health and preventive medicine to oversee operations and ensure the highest standard of care for individuals in recovery from substance use disorder. With a background in nonprofit and commercial healthcare, he previously served as an Integrated Community Specialist and Adult Member Advocate at Banner Health Plans. K.C. holds certifications as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist through NAMI Southern Arizona and as a Community Health Worker through Arizona Western College and the Arizona Department of Health Services. He serves on the board of the Arizona Community Health Workers Association (AzCHOW) and on the Arizona Oral Health Coalition’s Lived Experience Advisory Council, helping advance efforts to integrate oral, behavioral, and community health across the state. K.C. also oversees and manages a restorative dental grant collaborative between Avant Recovery, Marana Health Center, and Banner University Family Care, which provides comprehensive restorative dental care to Avant members at no cost—helping individuals in recovery reclaim their oral health, confidence, and dignity. A passionate advocate for oral health equity, K.C. has testified before the Arizona State Senate in support of expanding adult dental benefits under Medicaid. His work highlights the vital link between oral health and substance use recovery—emphasizing that oral health is not cosmetic but foundational to healing and long-term wellness.