Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C., received 291 survey responses. Of the 269 completed surveys, 84 percent of respondents said they believed combinations of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophens are as effective or more effective than opioids. But 43 percent said they regularly prescribe opioid medications.
Of the dentists who prescribed opioids, 9 out of 10 said they were less likely to prescribe opioids to patients ages 11-18 years old, and 48 percent said they were less likely to prescribe opioids to patients 19-25 years old.
Researchers concluded that the prevalence of opioid prescriptions contradicts evidence showing the effectiveness of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs over opioids. Researchers added that more education, prescription drug-monitoring programs and national guidelines are needed to to align clinical practice with current evidence.
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