The American Dental Association (ADA) is aware of recently published research related to opioid prescriptions for dental procedures. A growing body of research supports ADA policy that dentists should prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) alone or in combination with acetaminophen over opioids as first-line therapy. The ADA continues to be dedicated to raising awareness and taking action on the opioid public health crisis.
In order to combat opioid abuse among adolescents and across all ages, the ADA has urged all 161,000 member dentists to double down on their efforts to prevent opioids from harming patients and their families.
Dentists have written nearly half a million fewer opioid prescriptions over a five-year period, from 18.5 million in 2012 to 18.1 million in 2017. This is progress, and we know there is still more we can do.
In March 2018, the ADA adopted policy related to opioid prescribing by dentists for acute pain that supports:
-
Mandatory continuing education regarding prescription of opioids and other controlled substances.
-
Statutory limits on opioid dosage and duration of no more than seven days for the treatment of acute pain, consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention evidence-based guidelines.
-
Dentists registering with and utilizing Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) to promote the appropriate use of opioids and deter misuse and abuse
In April, researchers from the ADA Science Institute, Case Western University and the University of Pittsburgh published a scientific review of studies in the Journal of the American Dental Association which concluded that NSAIDs alone or in combination with acetaminophen are generally more effective and are associated with fewer side effects compared to opioids. The findings support the ADA’s 2016 policy statement that dentists should “consider NSAIDs as the first-line therapy for acute pain management.”
Working together with physicians, pharmacies, policymakers and the public, the ADA believes it is possible to end this tragic and preventable public health crisis that has been devastating our families and communities.
