Cannabis & Oral Health: A Comprehensive Guide

Presented by: Dharma Clement

Original Lecture/ Publication Date: October 21, 2026 (Webinar Series)

Course Description:

This lecture provides an overview of medical cannabis and its emerging relevance to oral and systemic health. Participants will explore the history of medicinal cannabis, the endocannabinoid system and its role in oral health, and the differences among cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, delivery modalities, potencies, and CBD ratios. The lecture also examines personalized dosing considerations and emerging applications of cannabis in dentistry, including pain and inflammation management, gingival health, oral microbiome support, TMJ care, and pre- and post-surgical applications. Emphasis is placed on individualized patient responses, modality differences, and the importance of staying current with evolving research.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the basic components and clinical relevance of the endocannabinoid system, including cannabinoid receptors, enzymes, PPAR receptors, and TRP channels.
• Differentiate among major cannabinoids, delivery modalities, potencies, and CBD ratios and describe how these factors may influence patient response.
• Identify emerging applications of medical cannabis in oral healthcare, including pain and inflammation management, gingival health, oral microbiome support, TMJ care, and surgical recovery.

Participants will learn how to:

• Incorporate questions about patients' cannabis use, benefits, preferred modalities, and individual responses into appropriate health and oral health histories.
• Use knowledge of delivery methods, onset, duration, potency, and individualized response to support informed discussions about cannabinoid use with patients.
• Recognize potential oral healthcare applications of cannabinoid-based products and identify opportunities to coordinate patient care while remaining informed about emerging research.
  

Speaker Bio:

Dharma G. Clement is a medical cannabis cultivation and operations specialist with more than 20 years of experience developing sustainable cultivation systems, medical-grade cannabis products, and compliant production facilities. He has worked across the cannabis industry—from genetics and cultivation to product formulation and manufacturing leadership—with a focus on advancing patient-centered care through evidence-informed cannabis products. Dharma currently specializes in formulating medical cannabis products designed to address specific healthcare conditions.