The MATE era has sunset. The opiate epidemic is evolving. What comes next?
A live Zoom discussion for NC dental professionals.
Meeting the annual opioid mandate: safe prescribing and the state of the crisis
Thursday, September 10, 2026, 7:00 PM ET. No charge to attend.
Register NowSeating is limited to 100. First come, first in. Mark your calendar; a reminder email arrives the week of the session.
Who’s on
David Lambert, DDS
Clinical
Board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon and pharmacist. Founder of CE Dojo.
Sean Kurdys
Regulatory
Former NCBDE lead investigator with significant insight into the board’s institutional culture, practices, and methods, and a working knowledge of common case scenarios in controlled-substance prescribing and diversion.
One of us prescribes and dispenses. One of us spent years seeing how cases actually unfold. You get both views in the same conversation.
What we’ll cover
From the clinical side
- The opiate crisis in the rear-view mirror, briefly
- A brief review of opioid pharmacology
- Safe opiate prescribing
- New analgesic agents
- Why anesthesia is getting harder
From the regulatory side
- Regulatory updates
- The board’s current positioning and focus, including anesthesia, record keeping, and case reviews
It’s a live meeting, and the discussion is the point. Bring your own prescribing questions.
CE credit is optional. Details on claiming credit will be provided at the session.
The federal MATE training was one-time. If you’ve renewed your DEA registration since June 2023, that requirement is behind you for good. Your NC controlled-substance CE isn’t. North Carolina requires every dentist who prescribes controlled substances to complete one hour of continuing education on controlled substance prescribing each calendar year, as part of the annual 15-hour total (21 NCAC 16R .0201(b); S.L. 2015-241, s. 12F.16).
What NC requires before December 31
Mental health and substance abuse awareness
Biennial, due December 31, 2026. If you completed it for the 2024 deadline, you’re due again this cycle.
Safe opiate prescribing principles
Covered by this September session, with an on-demand course to follow for anyone who misses it live.
Bundles*
- Bundle 1: Safe Opiate Prescribing and Mental Health & Substance Abuse Awareness, $95 (regularly $205)
- Bundle 2: Safe Opiate Prescribing and Health & Wellbeing in the Workplace, $89 (regularly $180)
- Bundle 3: Safe Opiate Prescribing and Cannabis & Dentistry, $89 (regularly $129)
*Current bundles updated after program complete.
Every course is AGD PACE approved and counts toward AGD Fellowship and Mastership. December 31 doesn’t move.