Electronic nicotine delivery systems, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), or vapes are a relatively new product category, which first emerged in 2004. E-cigarettes have been growing in use and are a source of great debate among public health advocates and in the media. Emerging evidence demonstrates that e-cigarettes may not be less harmful than conventional cigarettes and with the legalization of e-cigarettes containing nicotine, cannabidiol (CBD) and other oil-based liquids, there is increased access to e-cigarettes for new and current smokers. This has become a significant issue among young people in particular. In 2015 the E-cigarette giant, Juul, expanded into the United States, adding a new verb to our lexicon, “juuling.” Today, with the deregulation of cannabis in a majority of the United States, many smokers are also reaching for marijuana or THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) to be a part of their smoking regime. Is it true that where there is smoke there is fire?

There have been more than 2,807 reported cases of people suffering lung injuries after using electronic cigarettes or vaping products in the U.S., along with 61 official deaths. In October of 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gave vaping-related illness an official name: e-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury, aka EVALI. Given the potential oral health concerns around smoking nicotine, marijuana and now E-cigarettes and vaping, all oral healthcare practitioners need to know the pathophysiology, latest research, symptom recognition and what EVALI treatment currently looks like – especially since the average age of these patients is just 27 years old.

This interactive program looks at some of these most challenging patients, their most common negative sequelae due to drug use and the management of these patients with a particular focus on the dental realm. Case studies will augment the delivery of key points and a problem-based learning approach is encouraged so that each participant’s questions are addressed. Most importantly, you will learn directly applicable strategies to successfully identify these medically-complex patients beginning on Monday morning. After all, our goal is to make sure all dental appointments are not just successful and safe for your patient, but also for you and your staff.

Objectives to be covered: 

• Recognize the challenges and trends linking nicotine smoking, electronic cigarettes and the deregulation of cannabinoids on oral health 
• Describe the history of vaping related health concerns and EVALI 
• Explain the role of vitamin E acetate in the EVALI outbreak
• Summarize CDC treatment recommendations for EVALI
• Learn to identify and be a better resource on vaping-related trends for your patients  

The speaker declares that neither he nor any member of his family has a financial arrangement or affiliation with any corporate offering financial support of grant monies for this CE program. Although commercially available products may be discussed, no financial arrangements exist between those companies and the speaker.