Making a Difference in the Opioid Crisis
Opioids are a class of drugs that includes legal prescriptions, such as codeine, morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and pharmaceutical fentanyl, as well as illegal drugs such as heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl. Opioids can be classified as natural, semi-synthetic, or synthetic. They reduce pain by binding to opioid receptors throughout the body. Prescription opioids are commonly prescribed to manage both chronic and acute pain. Opioids have often been prescribed by dentists for the management of acute dental pain and can be used to effectively manage pain when prescribed and taken appropriately.
Opioid misuse has created an epidemic leading to opioid use disorder, overdose, and death.
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In what year did the United States Department of Health and Human Services officially declare the opioid crisis a public health emergency?
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National prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP) are statewide databases that collect information from pharmacies on dispensed controlled substances and allow registered users, including dentists, to check the prescription history of patients.
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Studies show that the use of PDMP by dentists has been high.
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In 2016, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported approximately how many people ages 12 and older misused opioids?
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The US Food and Drug Administration recommends medicine take-back options as the preferred method to safely dispose of most types of unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
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People dependent on opioids are less likely to experience an overdose.
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Dental hygienists are well-positioned to educate patients about risks of addiction.
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Making a Difference in the Opioid Crisis
Not bad, but there’s room to grow when it comes to understanding how to make a difference in the opioid crisis. Consider reading more about this important facet of dental hygiene care. Good luck!
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