Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 11, 2026
12:20
Use of the Operant Orofacial Pain Assessment Device OPAD to Measure Changes in Nociceptive Behavior
Published on: June 10, 2013
22.0K
Opioid-Related Emergency Department Encounters for Nontraumatic Dental Conditions
Keri Discepolo1, Yuquan Wan2, Aarzoo Kataria1
1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Mass., USA.
Pediatric Dentistry
|March 10, 2026
Summary
Pediatric emergency room visits for nontraumatic dental conditions (NTDC) resulted in opioid prescriptions for 11.5% of patients. Adolescents and those seen by a dental provider faced higher odds of opioid exposure.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Dental Public Health
- Pain Management
Background:
- Nontraumatic dental conditions (NTDC) are a common reason for pediatric emergency department visits.
- Opioid prescribing patterns for NTDC in pediatric populations are not well-characterized.
- Understanding opioid exposure is crucial for appropriate pain management and preventing misuse.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of opioid exposure for pediatric patients with NTDC in a hospital emergency department.
- To identify factors associated with increased opioid prescription for NTDC.
- To inform guidelines for pain management in pediatric dental emergencies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 737 pediatric patients (0-21 years) with NTDC.
- Analysis of opioid prescription data associated with emergency room visits.
- Statistical methods included binomial logistic regression and Fisher's exact test.
Main Results:
- Opioids were prescribed to 85 (11.5%) of NTDC patients.
- Patients seen by a dental provider had significantly higher odds of opioid exposure (OR=4.85).
- Older patients (≥14 years) had substantially increased odds of opioid exposure (OR=8.09).
Conclusions:
- Opioid medications are frequently provided for pediatric NTDC in emergency settings.
- Adolescents and young adults with NTDC represent a high-risk group for opioid exposure.
- Further research is needed to optimize non-opioid pain management strategies for pediatric dental emergencies.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
1.3K
Synthetic and semisynthetic opioids are pivotal in pain management and tackling opioid addiction. Semisynthetic opioids, including morphinans (morphine derivatives), oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone, have improved pharmacokinetic profiles compared to morphine. Additionally, heroin and 6-MAM (6-Monoacetylmorphine) show better CNS penetration than morphine due to heightened lipid solubility. Hydromorphone, a potent opioid, undergoes hepatic metabolism to form the active...
1.3K
01:25Analgesia and Pain Management
2.6K
Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
2.6K
01:20Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners
1.3K
Opioids are a class of drugs that mimic endogenous opioid peptides and act on opioid receptors, and help in pain relief. These compounds are classified as natural, synthetic, or semi-synthetic. Natural opioids, like morphine, codeine, and thebaine, are derived from the opium poppy plant (Papaver somniferum or Papaver album) and are termed opiates. Synthetic opioids are artificial, while semi-synthetic opioids combine natural and synthetic compounds. Morphine, a prototypical opioid, possesses a...
1.3K
01:22Opioid Receptors: Overview
5.7K
Opioid receptors, including the mu (μ, MOR), delta (δ, DOR), and kappa (κ, KOR) types, belong to the rhodopsin family of G protein-coupled receptors. These receptors are located throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems and in non-neuronal tissues such as macrophages and astrocytes. Opioid receptor ligands can be categorized into agonists or antagonists. Highly selective agonists include [d-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly(ol)5]-enkephalin or DAMGO for MOR, [D-Pen2,...
5.7K
01:29Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
898
Epidural anesthetics are administered in the fat-filled epidural space, the outermost part of the spinal canal. This technique is commonly employed for pain management and anesthesia during lower abdomen and pelvis surgeries or labor and delivery.
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
898
01:17Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Opioids as Antidiarrheal Agents
790
Diarrhea, a condition marked by frequent loose or watery bowel movements, can be triggered by multiple factors such as viral or bacterial infections, food intolerances, anxiety, medications, and digestive disorders. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and cramping. Severe or prolonged diarrhea can lead to complications like electrolyte imbalances, malnutrition, and dehydration if left untreated.
Opioids, widely used antidiarrheal agents, mitigate diarrhea by slowing down...
Opioids, widely used antidiarrheal agents, mitigate diarrhea by slowing down...
790