Dental News - ADA releases statement regarding research on opioid prescriptions

Dental Tribune International

Mon. 31. December 2018

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NEW YORK, U.S.: Recent papers on opioids and their use within the dental industry have drawn increased attention. In response to research related to opioid prescriptions for some dental procedures, the American Dental Association (ADA) has recently released a statement clarifying their position on the broader issue.

In the statement, the ADA said: “In order to combat opioid abuse among adolescents, and across all ages, the ADA has urged all 161,000 member dentists to double down on their efforts to prevent opioids from harming patients and their families.”

According to the ADA, the growing body of research supports their policy that dentists should prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) alone or in combination with acetaminophen over opioids as first-line therapy. Stating that the ADA is “dedicated to raising awareness and taking action on the opioid public health crisis.”

In March 2018, the ADA adopted a policy related to opioid prescription by dentists for acute pain. The policy supports mandatory continuing education regarding the prescription of opioids and other controlled substances, imposes statutory limits on opioid dosage and a duration of no more than seven days for the treatment of acute pain. The guidelines are consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s evidence-based guidelines and requires dentists to register with and use Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs to promote the appropriate use of opioids to deter misuse and abuse.

In further support of the ADA’s position, in April researchers from the ADA Science Institute, Case Western Reserve University and the University of Pittsburgh published a scientific review of studies in the Journal of the American Dental Association. The study concluded that NSAIDs alone or in combination with acetaminophen are generally more effective and are associated with fewer side effects than opioids.

“Working together with physicians, pharmacies, policymakers and the public, the ADA believes it is possible to end this tragic and preventable public health crisis that has been devastating our families and communities,” the statement concluded.

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