How You Can Help Stop The Opioid Crisis In Dentistry
Embracing a Drug-Free Approach: The Role of Dentistry in Opioid-Free Practices
The continuing opioid crisis has cast a shadow over the entire healthcare landscape. This has led to a reevaluation of prescribing practices across various medical fields, including dentistry.
Dental professionals are essential contributors to the overall healthcare system, and their role in addressing the opioid crisis cannot be understated. It is vitally important for dentistry to adopt opioid-free practices. The evaluation of alternative pain management strategies highlights benefits we can provide to both patients and the community.
The Opioid Crisis in Dentistry
Dentistry has historically relied on opioids for pain management, particularly after invasive procedures. That has been the standard teaching and practice for decades.
However, the opioid crisis has shed light on the potential risks associated with the over-prescription of these drugs. Opioids, though effective in alleviating pain, pose a significant risk of addiction, abuse and adverse side effects.
Recognizing this, dentists are increasingly seeking alternative methods to manage pain while minimizing the potential harm to patients.
Alternative Pain Management Strategies
There are alternatives which include the following:
- Non-Opioid Analgesics
Embracing non-opioid analgesics is a fundamental step towards opioid-free dentistry. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, are effective in managing dental pain and inflammation.
These medications target the source of pain without the addictive properties associated with opioids. (See the 2018 Case Western Reserve University study indicating that, “ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) alone or in combination with acetaminophen are better at easing dental pain than opioids.”
- Local Anesthetics
We, as dentists, are the experts in the use of local anesthetics to provide targeted pain relief during dental procedures. These drugs temporarily block nerve signals in a specific area, ensuring that patients remain comfortable as they are undergoing treatment. The recent introduction of longer acting local anesthesia has greatly reduced the need for post-surgical opioids.
Another consideration is in ensuring adequate depth of local anesthesia. Every dental provider has had situations where they are asking their patient to “please bear with me.” We sometimes lose sight of the big picture.
Patients who experience discomfort during a procedure will have more discomfort after. Sometimes the better choice will be to reduce the local inflammation first. Sometimes the better choice is to refer the patient to someone who can perform the procedure under sedation.
- Cognitive-Behavioral Techniques
Integrating cognitive-behavioral techniques can help manage pain perception. Dentists can employ relaxation methods, distraction techniques, and mindfulness practices to alleviate anxiety and pain, reducing the reliance on pharmacological interventions.
- Preventive Approaches
Adopting preventive strategies can minimize the need for postoperative pain management. This step is the one where the general dentist plays the biggest role. Emphasizing patient education on oral health, encouraging regular check-ups and promoting early intervention can prevent the progression of dental issues, reducing the likelihood of intense pain requiring opioids.
Many of us were taught to “watch” small issues as they might improve with time. However, if a patient does not return for a protracted period, a small carious lesion could eventually become a grossly carious “hot” tooth. Was the patient served well by not acting when first seen?
Benefits of Opioid-Free Dentistry
There are many benefits to these opioid-free pain management strategies.
- Reduced Risk of Addiction
Opioid-free dentistry contributes to the broader effort to curb opioid addiction. By minimizing exposure to these potent drugs, dental professionals play a crucial role in preventing the development of substance use disorders.
- Enhanced Patient Safety
Non-opioid alternatives often have a more favorable safety profile, reducing the likelihood of adverse reactions and complications. This enhances patient safety and overall satisfaction with dental care.
- Community Well-Being
Opioid-free dentistry aligns with public health goals by promoting community well-being. It fosters a culture of responsible pain management and contributes to the reduction of opioid-related harm in society.
Shift Toward Opioid-Free Dentistry
The shift towards opioid-free dentistry is a vital and responsible evolution in dental care. By embracing alternative pain management strategies, dentists can prioritize patient safety, contribute to the mitigation of the opioid crisis and foster a healthier community. The ongoing commitment to research, education and the implementation of innovative approaches will empower dentists to provide effective and compassionate care while minimizing the risks associated with opioid use.
I invite you to please join my mission to help reduce the opioid crisis via dentistry.
Look at how you practice and what you’re doing for your patients. Always do your best to prescribe what is needed and best for them, not necessarily what has always been done.
To learn more, and get a free copy of my book, please contact our office here.
This article originally appeared in “Dentistry Today” at https://www.dentistrytoday.com/how-you-can-help-the-opioid-crisis-in-dentistry/.