Ms. Stephanie Botts, RDH has practiced clinical dental hygiene for 12 years. She currently works full-time at Town Center Dentistry and Orthodontics in Denver. Stephanie is passionate about dental hygiene, especially the role hygienists can play in a patient’s overall health. She has spoken at the Denver Cardiology Summit, advising physicians and cardiologists about the oral/systemic link and the damaging effects of medication-induced dry mouth. She has spoken at numerous dental hygiene annual sessions about street drugs and their effects on the oral cavity, and the oral-systemic link. Stephanie is excited to provide the dental team, specifically dental hygienists, with communication strategies in advising patients about substance use disorder.

Dentists, Dental Team Members, Physicians, Nurses, Advanced Practice Providers, and Physician Assistants.

The dental hygienist can play a vital role in supporting patients with substance use disorder. Often hygienists are the health care professional spending the most one-on-one time with patients. Therefore, they are in a position to screen and advise patients on this issue. Patients often feel the most comfortable and have the strongest relationship with the hygienist, making it natural for hygienists to initiate this oftentimes difficult conversation. With the right skills and confidence, dental hygienists can serve as the first line of defense against risky substance use.

At the conclusion of this activity, learners should be able to:

• Identify substance use disorder as a treatable medical condition
• Recognize physical and psychological changes consistent with substance use disorder
• Practice effective communicate with patients about substance use disorder