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US Dentists Still Overprescribing Opioids
28 Apr
Summary
- US dental opioid prescriptions dropped 27% between 2021 and 2024.
- Despite decrease, U.S. dentists prescribe opioids far more than other nations.
- Netherlands' dental opioid rate was 24 times lower than the U.S. by 2024.
A recent study indicates that U.S. dentists are still overprescribing opioid painkillers, despite efforts to curb their use amid the ongoing opioid crisis. Between 2021 and 2024, dental patients in the U.S. saw a 27% decrease in filled opioid prescriptions. However, this rate remains notably high when compared internationally.
By 2024, the Netherlands reported an opioid prescription rate 24 times lower than that of the United States. Even Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, demonstrated tighter controls with half the U.S. rate. Researchers found that U.S. dentists were closing the gap with Canada, with 2,022 prescriptions per 100,000 people compared to Canada's 1,773.
Lead researcher Dr. Kao-Ping Chua noted that while U.S. dental opioid dispensing rates are decreasing, they persist at high levels by global standards. Newer dental guidelines encourage dentists to recommend alternative pain relief options due to the inherent addiction risks associated with opioids.
