The Facts
The opioid epidemic has reached crisis levels, with the CDC reporting that 115 people are dying from opioid overdoses each day. Debates continue to rage on as to how best to solve this nation-wide problem. As frequent prescribers of painkillers, dentists are uniquely positioned to play an influential role in how the battle against opioids is fought. Recently, the American Dental Association began the process of drafting policies to better position dentists to aid in the battle against the epidemic. Up for approval is mandatory opioid dental CE, plus prescription limits. Per the ADA’s Interim Board Policy on Opioid Prescribing:
B-37-2018. Resolved, that the ADA supports mandatory continuing education (CE) in prescribing opioids and other controlled substances, with an emphasis on preventing drug overdoses, chemical dependency, and diversion. Any such mandatory CE requirements should:
- Provide for continuing education credit that will be acceptable for both DEA registration and state dental board requirements,
- Provide for coursework tailored to the specific needs of dentists and dental practice,
- Include a phase-in period to allow affected dentists a reasonable period of time to reach compliance.
Resolved, that the ADA supports statutory limits on opioid dosage and duration of no more than seven days for the treatment of acute pain, consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) evidence-based guidelines and be it further
Resolved, that the ADA supports improving the quality, integrity, and interoperability of state prescription drug monitoring programs.
Educate Yourself
At Composite CE, we’ve definitely noticed an uptick in the number of opioid related continuing education offerings. We’ve started compiling opioid-focused CE courses to make it easier for providers to find courses to learn dental practitioners can help curb opioid abuse. We’ve picked three upcoming continuing education courses on the subject of opioids that look particularly interesting, but for a full list of all upcoming opioid dental CE options, click here.
Opioid Prescribing Practices Pre-Conference. Make a long weekend of this CE course offered in Chicago this December. It’s offered by the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology.
Chemical Dependency and Controlled Substance Prescribing. Head to Memphis this December, to attend this opioid course put on by the University of Tennessee. It takes place on December 6th.
A Current and Practical Program in Prescribing Controlled Substances: This November head to NYC to attend this NYCDS course providing the latest information on opioids and other controlled substances.
If none of those fit the bill, then see the entire list of opioid dental continuing education events:
See all upcoming live opioid dental CEs near you (or wherever you want to go) HERE.
If you’d rather take this subject online, take a look this course over at Dentaltown: Appropriate Analgesic Prescribing for the General Dentist . A great article on how to approach the topic of painkillers (including opioids) with patients can be found over at Dentistry IQ.