ADA enacts new policy to curb opioid epidemic: 5 things to know

The American Dental Society set forth a new national policy to reduce opioid dependency, according to the California Dental Association.

Here are five things to know.

1. The policy is the first of its kind by a major healthcare professional organization. It encourages placing mandates on opioid prescription limits and continuing education.

2. The ADA released The Interim Board Policy on Opioid Prescribing March 26, addressing three components: continuing education, dosage and duration as well as prescription and drug monitoring.

3. Mandatory continuing education will be tailored to the needs of the specific dentist or dental practice and will emphasize preventing drug overdoses and chemical dependency.

4. While the ADA notes the number of dentist-prescribed opioids has decreased, the organization notes work still lies ahead.

5. Dentists can find the new policy on the ADA website, where there are also articles on opioid prescribing as well as continuing education courses.

More articles on dentists:
Pacific Dental Services, Aspen Dental & more: 7 dental companies making headlines
Henry Schein celebrates Give Kids A Smile program: 5 things to know
Idaho dentists accused of abandoning patients for a 2nd time: 5 things to know

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.

Featured Learning Opportunities

Featured Podcast