Opioid Prescribing in Dentistry: Keys for Safe and Proper Usage

Although dentists typically prescribe opioids for pain control in lower doses and for shorter periods of time than other healthcare providers, they need to be mindful of potential unintended consequences, such as dependency by the patients for whom they are prescribed and diversion of the unused pills to others, including drug dealers and substance abusers. Due to public health issues related to the misuse or abuse of prescription drugs, dentists must be aware of which drugs are most commonly misused or abused; be able to identify individuals who may be at risk for prescription drug abuse; and be prepared to manage patients at risk in the dental setting. They should also be cognizant of alternatives or modified approaches to using opioids--including long-acting anesthetics, NSAIDs, and combining non-opioid drugs with differing mechanisms of action to enhance their ability to control pain due to an additive effect.