Session 1

Infection Control for the Dental Office

Bernard Fialkoff, DDS

Nov 6, 8:00 am-10:00 am

This program reviews essential infection-control, OSHA bloodborne pathogens and hazard communication principles for the modern dental office, with emphasis on preventing cross-contamination and maintaining a safe clinical environment.

Topics include hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, instrument processing and sterilization, environmental surface disinfection, dental unit waterlines, respiratory hygiene, sharps safety, and exposure management.

Practical clinical scenarios will be used to identify common breakdowns in infection-control protocols and demonstrate corrective actions that can be immediately implemented in practice.

Dr. Fialkoff is a distinguished periodontist and dental implant specialist with over 45 years of experience serving the New York metropolitan community. Bilingual in English and Spanish, he graduated as Class Valedictorian from the Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine in 1980, earning numerous academic honors, and completed his postgraduate specialization in Periodontics and Dental Implants through the Memphis Veterans Administration Hospital and University of Tennessee Dental School in 1982.

In addition to his clinical practice and scientific publications, Dr. Fialkoff serves as the QCDS District State Representative to the New York State Dental Association Committee on Substance Use Disorder & Well-Being.

His commitment to healthcare education, drug-addiction prevention, and humanitarian service has earned him numerous honors, including the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, Presidential Gold Volunteer Service Award, International College of Dentists Fellowship, Pierre Fauchard Academy Fellowship, and international humanitarian leadership awards.

Session 2

Review of the Illicit Drug Crisis for the Dental Professional Recognition, Risk & Clinical Management and Vaping and Medical Marijuana Current Science

Bernard Fialkoff, DDS

Nov 6, 10:00 am-12:30 pm

Illicit and recreational drug use presents increasing challenges for dental professionals. This program examines the oral and systemic effects of substances including opioids, vaping, cannabis, fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and other commonly abused drugs.

Participants will learn to recognize clinical signs of substance use, understand and manage important interactions with dental procedure healing, medications and local anesthetics; assess treatment risks, and modify dental care when necessary.

The program will also explore the dental professional's role in prevention, patient education, and early intervention.

Session 3

The Pharmacology of Implant Prognosis: Hidden Risks, Medications, Biology, Preventing Failures

Bernard Fialkoff, DDS

Nov 6, 1:30 pm-4:30 pm

Dental implant success depends not only on surgical technique and restorative planning, but also on the patient's underlying biology and medications.

This program examines how commonly prescribed and illicit drugs can alter inflammation, angiogenesis, osteoblast activity, bone remodeling, collagen formation, and osseointegration.

A review will be provided of how SSRIs, proton pump inhibitors, bisphosphonates, corticosteroids, chemotherapy, illicit drugs and other medications are associated with altered healing or implant complications.