Dentists can be teenagers' first opioid providers. After wisdom teeth removal, young adults are often prescribed opioids, which studies suggest leads to addiction.
However, dentists in Tennessee are prescribing fewer opioids, according to local NBC affiliate WSMV.
The Tennessee Dental Association and Wellness Committee is promoting the use of Tylenol and ibuprofen instead of prescribing opioids. The organizations are basing their initiatives in part off an American Medical Association analysis.
Data found dentists are responsible for 31 percent of adolescents first exposure to opioids.
Teresa Larkins, DDS, has seen the benefits of limiting opioid prescriptions.
"For probably 10 years, we have used a combination of ibuprofen and Tylenol," Dr. Larkins told WSMV. "Most of my patients love it because they are able to go to work, drive, all the things they need to do without that druggy feeling. I always tell patients, they need to use the prescription 800 milligram ibuprofen, and have to take a 325 milligram Tylenol with that at the same time."
More articles on dentists:
Judge undecided on class-action status of case against VA dentist
Top 10 dental schools, from QS World University Rankings 2018
Benco Dental to distribute Align Technology scanners: 5 notes
However, dentists in Tennessee are prescribing fewer opioids, according to local NBC affiliate WSMV.
The Tennessee Dental Association and Wellness Committee is promoting the use of Tylenol and ibuprofen instead of prescribing opioids. The organizations are basing their initiatives in part off an American Medical Association analysis.
Data found dentists are responsible for 31 percent of adolescents first exposure to opioids.
Teresa Larkins, DDS, has seen the benefits of limiting opioid prescriptions.
"For probably 10 years, we have used a combination of ibuprofen and Tylenol," Dr. Larkins told WSMV. "Most of my patients love it because they are able to go to work, drive, all the things they need to do without that druggy feeling. I always tell patients, they need to use the prescription 800 milligram ibuprofen, and have to take a 325 milligram Tylenol with that at the same time."
More articles on dentists:
Judge undecided on class-action status of case against VA dentist
Top 10 dental schools, from QS World University Rankings 2018
Benco Dental to distribute Align Technology scanners: 5 notes