TAPD Sedation Update - Navigating Medication Shortages

Sedation 2025 Update: Different Regimens for A Different Era

Date
May 31, 2025

Location 
Via Zoom

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Course Description

Changes in medication availability, state dental practice acts/legislation and access to operating room services have all impacted the use of procedural sedation for the pediatric dental patient. This seminar will review how systemic process changes have influenced patient allocation and  regimens used for sedation. This seminar will cover newer (and older)  classes of agents, their pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics as well as the risks and benefits of sedative polypharmacy. Strategies on maintaining a high margin of safety in sedation will be an underlying focus and office strategies for safe sedation will be underscored.

Course Objectives

Attendees will be able to:

1. Understand Practical dosage considerations in the context of the Demerol shortage.
2. Understand pharmacokinetics of Morphine, Dexmedetomidine and Ketamine
3. Review the role of Nitrous oxide in these regimens
4. Be able to understand and implement key safety considerations for in-office procedural sedation

Speaker

Dr. Bobby Thikkurissy, DDS

Bobby Thikkurissy is Professor and Robert Creedon Chief of Dentistry, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. He obtained his DDS from New York University, an AEGD certificate from Wright Patterson AFB, and his certificate/Masters from The Ohio State University, additionally serving 8 years in the United States Air Force. Bobby became a Diplomate of the ABPD and entered full-time academics in 2006. He has served as Directors of a predoctoral program, in-patient service and a residency programs.

He has taught in the AAPD Sedation course since 2011 and has Chaired the AAPD Sedation committee as well as served on the ADA Council of Dental Education. His research and publications have focused on; procedural sedation, children with special needs, and morbidity of pain in children.