OPIOID ABUSE IS NOW A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY

Dr. Rico Short shares some tips to address this issue.

Dr. Rico Short, Board Certified Endodontist, has a tip for dental providers to help reduce opioid dependence and abuse after most dental procedures.

"I am a root canal specialist. I know it sounds like PAIN!....but actually in many instances it's a very comfortable procedure with current technology and anesthesia. I deal with patients in pain everyday. In my almost 20 years of practice I've found most post-operative dental pain can be controlled with Ibuprofen 600mg (3 Motrin or Advil) alone or add 500mg of Acetaminophen (1 Extra Strength Tylenol) over the counter for a greater synergistic pain relief effect. It's pretty rare they need strong narcotics like Vicodin and Percocet. This over the counter combination of Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen can be taken every 6 hours as needed for pain. If pain persist after 3 days then contact your dentist.

Believe it or not, most patients don't want to take narcotics. They don't like the way it makes them feel and impairs their ability to work. The over the counter combination in which I give after my procedures BUT before the anesthetic wears off is usually all they need to take for pain control.

This helps to keep narcotics out of the hands of children and teenagers. In addition, it limits the potential narcotic abuse/dependence from patients."

For additional information about the ADA’s advocacy efforts with opioids education, visit the American Dental Association 

Dr. Rico D. Short

Board Certified Endodontist

Apex Endodontics P.C / Atlanta