Managing the Misuse of Opioids
Prescription drug misuse—taking medication originally intended for therapeutic use in a manner other than prescribed—commonly takes the form of opioid, stimulant, and central nervous system depressant misuse. For decades, prescription opioids have provided effective pain relief for patients following acute care, such as surgery (including dental surgery), yet in recent years, opioid abuse has become a major public health crisis.
Reported rates of diagnosed opioid abuse have tripled since 2006.
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In 2017, the United States Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid epidemic a public health emergency.
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In 2011, what percentage of emergency department visits involving nonmedical pharmaceutical usage was due to the use of narcotic pain relievers?
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Patients exhibiting drug-seeking behaviors may present to the dental office for the specific purpose of obtaining opioid prescriptions.
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In pain management, oral health professionals are advised to consider which nonpharmacological therapies?
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Oral health professionals should always consider opioid therapies before nonopioid therapies.
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For many patients, a prescription for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, combined with education on the benefits of scheduling, is one of the best strategies for managing pain.
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Managing the Misuse of Opioids
Not bad, but there’s room to grow when it comes to understanding managing the misuse of opioids. Consider reading more about this important facet of dental hygiene care. Good luck!
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This information is from the article “Addressing Prescription Opioid Misuse” by Romesh P. Nalliah, DDS, MHCM, Shernel Thomas, BS, Diane Rhee, PharmD, MHA, Sarah Bettag, BA and Melanie Boyd, RDA. To read the article, click here.
