Complementary and Alternative Medicine Techniques Available for Dentistry

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Techniques Available for Dentistry is organized by The American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA).

Accreditation:
CE Credits: 2

Course Description:
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is a set of procedures considered to be outside the practice of conventional medicine. Conventional medicine procedures are performed by medical doctors and other healthcare professionals; they are also called allopathy, Western, orthodox, or regular medicine and biomedicine. Allopathy is further defined as the use of antagonists to treat disease or abnormal conditions. Allopathy, or conventional medicine, uses antibiotics toxic to a microorganism to kill it, or provides a vitamin to treat a vitamin deficiency.

Complementary medicine procedures are used in conjunction with conventional medicine procedures. Alternative medicine procedures are used in place of conventional medicine procedures. When CAM therapies are used with conventional medicine it is called Integrative Medicine.

Conventional Dentistry is also called traditional or fee for service dentistry, which means every diagnosis has a corresponding diagnostic and procedural insurance code. In dentistry, conventional procedures are performed by dentists and allied oral healthcare professionals. A dental example of a complementary medicine procedure is using aromatherapy before, during or after dental procedures. An example of an alternative medicine procedure is using hypnosis instead of drugs or medication for pain/anxiety control.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this course the dental professional should be able to:
• Define Complementary and Alternative Medicine terminology.
• Recognize that patients may choose complementary and alternative procedures in addition to conventional dentistry.
• Explain the alternative medical systems of homeopathy and naturopathy, Chinese medicine and Ayurveda.
• Consider mind-body interventions used to enhance treatment, such as support groups, meditation, prayer, art, music, dance, imagery, relaxation, biofeedback, hypnosis and paranormal health remedies.
• Conceptualize how substances found in nature, such as herbs, food, vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements, and natural therapies,are used for biologically based therapy.
• Discuss manipulative and body based methods of physical therapy, chiropractory or massage therapy.
• Describe energy therapies.

Note:
Original Release Date: 2010; Review Date: 2019; Expiration Date: 2022