Enhancing Physician Management of Nontraumatic Dental Conditions: Impact of an Online Educational Module

Dental emergencies from nontraumatic dental conditions (NTDCs) cause tooth infections and pain. These cases are often seen by physicians in nondental settings. Definitive treatment is rarely possible in these settings. This often leads to prescribing antibiotics or opioid analgesics, which may conflict with stewardship principles.

This study evaluated the impact of an online educational module on physicians' confidence and knowledge in managing NTDCs.

An educational module combining a cognitive aid and a multimodal online module with theoretical clinical cases was developed for medical students, licensed family physicians, and emergency physicians. It focused on evidence-based management of NTDCs in nondental settings. The impact was measured through pre- and postmodule self-evaluations and clinical case tests. Analyses were conducted using descriptive statistics and t-tests (p < 0.05).

A total of 39 participants completed all aspects of the intervention. Improvements in confidence and knowledge were observed, including better accuracy in emergency management, antibiotic prescription, and local anesthesia administration. There was a reduction in opioid prescriptions and antibiotic overprescriptions, with an increased tendency to delay prescriptions in favor of definitive treatment. Course evaluations showed strong agreement on the quality and usefulness of the educational module.

The online educational module effectively enhanced physician confidence and knowledge in managing tooth infections and pain. Its implementation may help address global concerns about antibiotic overuse and resistance, while also promoting a more responsible approach to the opioid crisis.