Oral Manifestations of Sexually Transmitted Infections
Course #54073 - $45 -
- Participation Instructions
- Review the course material online or in print.
- Complete the course evaluation.
- Review your Transcript to view and print your Certificate of Completion. Your date of completion will be the date (Pacific Time) the course was electronically submitted for credit, with no exceptions. Partial credit is not available.
The life-threatening ramifications of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have overshadowed other STIs and the implications for oral and systemic involvement. Diseases such as gonorrhea, syphilis, human papillomavirus, infectious mononucleosis, genital herpes, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis have a high incidence among the general population. Delayed treatment of these diseases can lead to sterility, pelvic inflammatory disease, and an increased risk of HIV infection if ulcerative lesions are present. Untreated syphilis can lead to complications of the nervous and cardiovascular systems, which can cause serious health complications and even death. Many of these infections manifest in the oral cavity, and dental professionals can intervene to assist with early diagnosis and effective treatment.
This course is designed for all dental professionals.
The purpose of this course is to introduce dental professionals to the pathophysiology of STIs, their oral manifestations, systemic complications, available treatment options, and any modifications required for dental treatment.
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
- Outline the spectrum of diseases that are transmitted sexually and their impact on public health.
- Describe the underlying pathogenesis and treatment of gonorrhea and syphilis.
- Identify oral lesions that are associated with genital herpes, human papillomavirus, and Epstein-Barr virus.
- Analyze the systemic implications of chlamydia.
- Review dental treatment modifications that are required for patients with HIV/AIDS.
Mark J. Szarejko, DDS, FAGD, received his dental degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1985. He received fellowship from the Academy of General Dentistry in 1994.
Contributing faculty, Mark J. Szarejko, DDS, FAGD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationship with any product manufacturer or service provider mentioned.
Sarah Campbell
The Director of Development and Academic Affairs has disclosed no relevant financial relationship with any product manufacturer or service provider mentioned.
The purpose of NetCE is to provide challenging curricula to assist healthcare professionals to raise their levels of expertise while fulfilling their continuing education requirements, thereby improving the quality of healthcare.
Our contributing faculty members have taken care to ensure that the information and recommendations are accurate and compatible with the standards generally accepted at the time of publication. The publisher disclaims any liability, loss or damage incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents. Participants are cautioned about the potential risk of using limited knowledge when integrating new techniques into practice.
It is the policy of NetCE not to accept commercial support. Furthermore, commercial interests are prohibited from distributing or providing access to this activity to learners.
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The role of implicit biases on healthcare outcomes has become a concern, as there is some evidence that implicit biases contribute to health disparities, professionals' attitudes toward and interactions with patients, quality of care, diagnoses, and treatment decisions. This may produce differences in help-seeking, diagnoses, and ultimately treatments and interventions. Implicit biases may also unwittingly produce professional behaviors, attitudes, and interactions that reduce patients' trust and comfort with their provider, leading to earlier termination of visits and/or reduced adherence and follow-up. Disadvantaged groups are marginalized in the healthcare system and vulnerable on multiple levels; health professionals' implicit biases can further exacerbate these existing disadvantages.
Interventions or strategies designed to reduce implicit bias may be categorized as change-based or control-based. Change-based interventions focus on reducing or changing cognitive associations underlying implicit biases. These interventions might include challenging stereotypes. Conversely, control-based interventions involve reducing the effects of the implicit bias on the individual's behaviors. These strategies include increasing awareness of biased thoughts and responses. The two types of interventions are not mutually exclusive and may be used synergistically.