OVERVIEW

Immunosuppressants and Anti-neoplastic Agents: An Overview, Implications on Oral Health and Their Management is organized by University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry and will be held on Aug 06, 2026.

Description:
Immunosuppressive agents are primarily indicated for prevention of organ rejection, treatment of autoimmune disorders, and used along with cancer chemotherapy. Both categories of drugs lower the immunity and increase the risk of oral infections. Moreover, they result in oral side effects that require specific treatment in the dental office. Some oral and dental treatments can only be provided when the patient's white blood cells (WBC) are at acceptable levels. Therefore, the role of the dental healthcare provider is crucial in the care of a patient before, during, and after the transplant, as well during chemotherapy.

This course will discuss various categories of immunosuppressive drugs and anti-neoplastic drugs used for head and neck cancers. It will help the dental healthcare provider gain understanding of how these drugs interact with other medications used in dentistry.

Course Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

Gain understanding of a wide variety of immunosuppressants, and anti-neoplastic agents used in head and neck cancers
Understand oral complications and systemic side effects of dental relevance associated with these medications
Learn management of side effects and complications in the dental office
Be aware of dental treatment considerations in patients before, during and after treatment with these drugs