International Trends in Dental Opioid Prescriptions
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By
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Kao-Ping Chua
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Claudia Bruno
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Sallie-Anne Pearson
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Jonathan Brett
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Sijia He
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Romesh Nalliah
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Chad Brummett
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April 17, 2026
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Clinical Scorecard: Global Patterns in Opioid Prescribing by Dentists
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|
| Condition | |
| Key Mechanisms | Associated with adverse events including overdose and persistent use. |
| Target Population | |
| Care Setting | |
Key Highlights
- US dental opioid dispensing rate decreased from 2786.3 to 2022.0 per 100,000 from 2021 to 2024.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Management
Monitoring & Follow-up
- Track dispensing rates and adverse events related to opioid prescriptions.
- Evaluate patient outcomes and prescription practices regularly.
- Monitor adverse events related to opioid prescriptions.
Risks
Patient & Prescribing Data
Opioids are often prescribed despite effective alternatives being available; non-opioid alternatives have shown comparable effectiveness.
Clinical Best Practices
- Encourage the use of non-opioid pain management strategies.
- Educate dental professionals on the risks associated with opioid prescribing.
- Regularly review and adjust prescribing practices based on current data.
- Implement regular training sessions for dental professionals on opioid risks.
References
