Special Screening Resources: Strategies to Identify Substance Use Disorders, Including Opioid Misuse and Abuse

The prescription drug crisis has affected all sectors of the population, and so it is inevitable that dentists will increasingly see at-risk patients or those with substance use disorders in the course of their professional activities. Recognizing these patients and the special needs that they may have is now part of the standard of care for the profession. Screening for substance misuse involves a thorough history and review of the patient's medical record and, as appropriate, reviewing prior records and use of available screening tools.