Fighting Prescription Opioid Abuse: Safe prescribing practices – Part 2

To help dental providers navigate the national opioid crisis, Cigna Dental has launched Fighting Prescription Opioid Abuse, an educational series developed exclusively for The Cigna Dental Digital Newsroom.

Welcome to the second article of our series, Safe prescribing practices. Our goal is to provide you with relevant information that you can incorporate into your daily practice. 

In the late 1990s, opioid prescribing increased after pharmaceutical companies downplayed addiction risks to the medical community. Increased prescription of opioid medications led to widespread misuse of both prescription and non-prescription opioids before it became clear that these medications could indeed be highly addictive. In 2017, the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency. 

To help ensure that you’re implementing safe prescribing practices, here are some tips to consider:

1. Collect a comprehensive initial health history with periodic updates on every patient as needed.
2. Conduct screenings for potential substance abuse, including a review of available prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data.
3. Select pain management with non-opioid medications whenever possible. Prescribe opioids only if the benefits outweigh the risks for the patient.
4. Prescribe the lowest effective dose and quantity for the shortest necessary duration needed when considering opioids.
5. Reference opioid prescribing guidelines and resources from national and credible professional associations including:

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain
• The American Dental Association: Acute dental pain management guideline
• The American Dental Association: Prevent opioid misuse