Analgesic Use and Effectiveness for Dental Procedures

Pearl Network2,773 enrolled

Overview

Opioid analgesics prescribed by dentists may contribute to the larger national issue of the use and abuse of the drug. On occasion dental pain may be sufficiently severe to support the use of opioids. This study used both dentist and patient input to evaluate the use of opioid and over-the-counter analgesics following one of seven coded common dental procedures. The study includes a five day patient follow up assessment of the effectiveness of the analgesic. Baseline questionnaires were completed by eligible participants, and they responded to the day 5 follow up questionnaires.

Specific Aims The overall objective of the proposed study is to determine (1) the pattern of analgesic prescriptions (Rx and OTC) and recommendations (OTC) in dental practices; and (2) the effectiveness of and side effects associated with these medications as measured by patientreported outcomes (PROs). Specific Aim 1: To document (a) dentists' postprocedural prescriptions and recommendations for analgesic medication: and (b) the effectiveness of these medications and side effects associated with their use as measured by PROs. Specific Aim 2: To analyze by procedure class and anticipated pain severity the PROs of Rx and OTC analgesic medications. Specific Aim 3: Determine the incidence of analgesic side effects of Rx and OTC analgesic medications. The outcomes of Specific Aims 1-3 will be: * The distribution of dentists' Rx/OTC prescriptions/recommendations by dentists for anticipated pain severity. * The effectiveness of different types of Rx and OTC analgesics (e.g., Rx NSAIDs vs. OTC NSAIDs, Rx NSAIDs vs. Rx narcotics) by procedure class and anticipated pain severity. * The incidence of analgesic side effects for Rx and OTC analgesics. Analysis of the results and methods of the proposed research will furthermore serve as guidance in designing a randomized PBRN clinical trial comparing the efficacy of and complications associated with two or more analgesics.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

2,773

Conditions

Pain

Eligibility

Sex: ALLHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Presence of erupted second molar teeth. 2. Scheduled for treatment in one procedure of the following six procedure classes: extraction, endodontic therapy, pulp capping, crown preparation, periodontal surgery, abscess treatment 3. Expected by the P-I to experience postoperative pain sufficient to require an analgesic 4. Permanent dentition (erupted 2nd molar teeth) 5. Capacity to judge pain level 6. Ability and willingness to give verbal consent Exclusion Criteria: 1. Under treatment for medical disorders, including dementia, Parkinson's disease, depression, severe anxiety, or any other medical condition, that, in the opinion of the P-I, would affect the subject's judgment of postoperative pain 2. Current participation in another dental or medical research study.

Locations (1)

PEARL Network Sites

New York, New York, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Dentist questionnaire

dentists' postprocedural prescriptions were recorded by analgesic class: Opioid, NSAID, or other (Descriptive measures)

Time frame: baseline

Secondary Outcomes

Dentist questionnaire - anticipated pain by patients using VAS-5 pain scale

anticipated pain severity using the VAS-5 pain scale (1-5 scale)

Time frame: 5 days after the dental procedure

Patient questionnaire - OHIP-14 patient reported outcomes quality of life survey (questionnaire).

Time frame: 5 days after the dental procedure

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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