TAPD Fall CE - Sedation Focus
Sedation/Emergency Medicine
Date
September 26, 2025
Location
Austin Central Library
710 W Cesar Chavez St
Austin, TX 78701
8 CE Hours
Course Description
Many children require pharmacological treatment in order to tolerate dental procedures. This talk will cover strategies to optimize the success of sedation in the dental office with an emphasis on patient safety. The discussion will be wide-ranging, starting with patient evaluation and the significance of common medical conditions when providing sedation, moving to the pharmacology of sedative agents and choosing drug regimens, and concluding with tools for managing complications and medical emergencies. By the end of this presentation, participants will be equipped with practical knowledge and clinical tools to enhance the safety and effectiveness of sedation in pediatric dental patients.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Evaluate pediatric patients for in-office moderate sedation by conducting thorough preoperative assessments and recognizing the impact of common medical conditions on sedation safety.
- Describe the pharmacologic properties of commonly used sedative agents and understand how to select appropriate drug regimens based on patient needs and procedural demands.
- Implement evidence-based strategies to increase the success rate of sedation procedures in the dental office while maintaining a strong emphasis on patient safety.
- Recognize and manage sedation-related complications, including early identification and appropriate responses to medical emergencies in the dental setting.
- Apply clinical tools and protocols to improve preparedness and confidence in delivering safe sedation care to pediatric patients.
Schedule
8:00 – 10:45 Proven Approaches Begins
10:45 – BREAK
11:00 – 12:15 Proven Approaches Continues
12:15 – LUNCH
12:45 – 3:15 Proven Approaches Continues
3:15 – BREAK
3:30 – 5:00 Proven Approaches Continues plus Q&A
Speaker
Cara J. Riley, DMD, MS Dr. Cara J. Riley is a dentist anesthesiologist with over a decade of experience in both the academic and private practice settings. She worked as an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology at Children’s Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado School of Medicine for much of her career, and currently provides anesthesia services at Children’s Hospital and in mobile practice across the country. Dr. Riley completed her undergraduate training at Georgetown University and spent three years working for Under Armour before earning her DMD degree from Harvard School of Dental Medicine. She then completed a dental anesthesiology residency and earned a master’s degree at The Ohio State University. A Diplomate and Past President of the American Dental Board of Anesthesiology, Dr. Riley is also faculty for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s sedation and simulation courses. She serves as a consultant to the Colorado State Board of Dentistry on matters related to sedation and anesthesia. Originally from coastal Maine, Dr. Riley now resides in Denver, Colorado, with her family and beloved hound dog.