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Dental and related infections
1Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 230 McKee Place, Suite 500, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. hodgdona@upmc.edu
Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America
|April 23, 2013
Summary
Emergency physicians can effectively manage dental infections. This guide covers examination techniques, common conditions, and strategies for pain and antibiotic management, emphasizing reduced opioid analgesic use.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Dental infections are common presentations in emergency departments.
- Physicians require guidance on managing these conditions effectively.
- Opioid overprescribing is a significant public health concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To equip emergency physicians with the knowledge to manage dental infections.
- To provide evidence-based strategies for pain and antibiotic therapy.
- To guide physicians in avoiding the overprescription of opioid analgesics.
Main Methods:
- Review of common dental pathologies and examination techniques.
- Analysis of current pain management protocols, focusing on non-opioid options.
- Evaluation of antibiotic stewardship in treating odontogenic infections.
Main Results:
- Standardized dental examination protocols can be implemented by emergency physicians.
- Effective non-opioid pain management strategies exist for dental pain.
- Judicious antibiotic selection and duration can optimize treatment outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Emergency physicians can confidently manage most dental infections.
- Focusing on appropriate diagnostics and therapeutics reduces reliance on opioids.
- Adherence to guidelines improves patient care and combats the opioid crisis.
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