Dr Mia L. Geisinger is a Professor and Director of Advanced Education in Periodontology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry. She earned her DDS from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and completed her specialty training in periodontology and implantology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Dr Geisinger is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and a Fellow of the International Team for Implantology (ITI). A nationally recognized leader in organized dentistry, she has served as President of the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation and Chair of the American Dental Association’s Council on Scientific Affairs, and currently serves as Vice President of the American Academy of Periodontology. Dr Geisinger has authored more than 75 peer-reviewed publications and lectures internationally on periodontal-systemic health connections, implant dentistry, regenerative therapies, and interdisciplinary oral healthcare.
An increasing number of people are using glucagon-like peptide receptor agonists (GLP-1-RA) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor agonist (GIPR) medications for both glycemic control and weight loss. These medications are often referred to as “incretin mimetics,” and they target physiologic processes that are involved with dysglycemia, nutrient metabolism, and nutrient storage. Given the relative novelty of this drug class, it is important that dental health-care professionals understand their mechanisms of action, common side effects, and impacts on oral and overall health. This course will review the functions of GLP-1-RA and GIPR medications, their intended and side effects, and the clinical implications for care in the dental setting.
Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:
Evaluate the impact of GLP-1RA and GIPR medications on oral health, including xerostomia, halitosis, and periodontal disease.
Understand the clinical implications for patients seeking dental care who are taking GLP-1-RA and GIPR medications.