Variations in temporal trends in <scp>non‐traumatic</scp> dental condition related emergencies

Nagarajan, Radhakrishnan; Panny, Aloksagar; Berg, Richard L.; Acharya, Amit; Nycz, Greg

doi:10.1111/jphd.12528

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“… 13 , 14 This treatment regimen is largely palliative in nature and occurs in settings that lack dental specialists and the infrastructure needed to provide definitive care (ie, extractions, root canal treatment, pulp therapy, abscess drainage, sedation). 15 , 16 As a result, opioid prescription utility and concurrent drug dependence may have affected individuals seeking pain relief for dental conditions. Prior research concluded that the prescribing of opioids for NTDC patients during 2007 to 2010 increased significantly over time and was higher than opioid prescribing among non-NTDC visits, based on the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Opioid Prescriptions Prior to Emergency Department Dental Visits: A Comparison of Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (DPSAs) and Non-DPSAs Using Electronic Health Records

Dreyer,

Shukla,

Sabadee

et al. 2023

INQUIRY

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Although prior research has linked dental conditions and opioid prescribing in the U.S., it is not yet known whether the receipt of opioid prescriptions prior to seeking emergency care for dental conditions differs in geographical areas that are underserved by health care professionals (Dental Professional Shortage Areas, DPSAs) compared to other areas. Using Indiana’s state-wide electronic health records from January 1, 2016 to October 31, 2020, we examine if patients from DPSAs presenting at the emergency department (ED) for dental conditions are more likely to have received opioid prescriptions in the 30 days prior to their visit, compared to patients from other areas. A higher rate of opioid receipt among DPSA individuals may indicate an association between lower availability of dental professionals and the use of opioids as a coping strategy. We note that our study design has several limitations (such as a lack of data on prescription use after the ED visit) and does not prove causation. We find that individuals experiencing dental condition ED visits in DPSAs are 16% more likely (than those in non-DPSAs) to have filled an opioid prescription in the 30 days prior to the ED visit, after controlling for age, gender, and race/ethnicity. This result is statistically significant at the 1% level. The baseline rate of opioid filling in the 30 days prior to the ED visit is 12% in DPSAs. These correlational results suggest that unmet dental needs might be substantially connected to opioid prescriptions, although further research is needed to establish whether this relationship is causal.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%