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Published on: June 10, 2013
Prescribing Opioid Analgesics for Acute Dental Pain: Time to Change Clinical Practices in Response to Evidence and
Raymond A Dionne1, Sharon M Gordon2, Paul A Moore3
1Professor, Brody School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina; School of Dental Medicine; Department of Foundational Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina.
Abstract:
As the nation comes to terms with a prescription opioid epidemic, dentistry is beginning to understand its own unintentional contribution and seek ways to address it. The article urges dental providers to reexamine entrenched prescribing habits and thought patterns regarding treatment of acute dental pain. It points to evidence suggesting that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are nonaddictive and usually more effective for managing many cases of acute dental pain. The authors provide therapeutic recommendations to help dental providers change prescribing patterns.
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