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We invited you to complete a Quick Poll asking about dentistry’s ability and willingness to routinely screen all patients, in order to identify and assist those with Opioid Use Disorder. Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is a bio-psycho-social disease characterized by compulsive opioid use. Left untreated, it often progresses, resulting in clinically significant morbidity and mortality. We asked your opinions regarding the extent to which dentistry is carrying out its clinical responsibility and if negative stigmatization and/or lack of training/knowledge are barriers in doing so.

Main Quick Poll highlights

• Respondents believed that about half of their colleagues do not systematically assess or screen all patients for past or present OUD.

• Most respondents (78%) expressed willingness to counsel and refer patients who are willing to discuss their OUD.

• Most respondents (66%) believe half or more dentists are resistant to assisting patients with OUD, and 38% believe the resistance is due to negative stigmatization of persons with OUD.

• While only 17% of respondents believe no additional training would increase OUD screening, the vast majority agreed that many of the eleven CDE topics listed would increase screening.

Main conclusions and implications

Additional education and training through CDE have the potential to increase dentists’ clinical competency in routinely screening all patients for OUD, and their skills at making referrals for those patients willing to discuss their treatment needs. Strategies should be developed to reduce negative stigmatization felt by some dentists regarding persons with OUD. 

Dr. Brittaney Hill, a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Illinois Chicago, recently joined the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. Dr. Hill saw the potential for the network to greatly impact the teaching and practice of pediatric dentistry. “Creating a network of practitioners with different experiences, expertise, and ideas will only enhance the quality of research that the pediatric profession produces,” says Dr. Hill. 

Dr. Brittaney Hill

Join the 90 practitioners nationwide who have started data collection for almost 700 implants, bringing us closer to our goal of 2,000 implants. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to contribute to this pioneering effort and help improve dental implant therapy outcomes! The registry aims to investigate the success of implant therapy and the rate of complications by tracking 2,000 total dental implants nationwide. This is the first national implant restoration registry funded by the NIH/NIDCR. By enrolling just 10 patients with dental implants at the time of prosthesis placement and following them for three years, you can contribute to this groundbreaking study.

The POPS study is an exciting research project that aims to provide insight into pain experienced by patients after dental procedures. The goal is to recruit 170 practitioners to enroll a maximum of 3,147 patients who have undergone a surgical dental procedure. With approximately 150 practitioners and over 2,000 patients participating already, the POPS study is in its final stretch. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this research and contribute to the understanding of pain management in dental procedures.

Improving the nation's oral health by improving

the knowledge base for clinical decision-making

and moving the latest evidence into routine care

The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network is supported by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), grants U19-DE-028717 and U01-DE-028727