A Qualitative Assessment of the Role of Dental Specialists in the United States Opioid Epidemic: Dental School Faculty and Postdoctoral Trainee Perspectives

Authors

Rochisha Singh Marwaha D.D.S., M.P.H., FICD, Clinical Associate Professor, Comprehensive Dentistry, and Assistant Director, Postdoctoral DPH Residency Program, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, School of DentistryFollow
Gunnar Hasselgren D.D.S., Ph.D., Professor of Dental Medicine, Interim Director of Endodontics and Chair, Section of Cariology and Restorative Sciences, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, New York, NYFollow
Sarah Douglas-Broten D.M.D., M.P.H., Postdoctoral Trainee, Section of Population Oral Health, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, New York, NYFollow
Sidney B. Eisig D.D.S., Section of Hospital Dentistry, and Director, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, New York, NYFollow
Kavita P. Ahluwalia D.D.S., M.P.H., Associate Professor of Dental Medicine and Director, Postdoctoral Program in Dental Public Health, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, New York, NYFollow

Keywords

Opioids, Oral Surgery, Endodontics, Pain Management, prescription drug monitoring programs

Abstract

This research used qualitative methods to compare the prescription opioid-related knowledge, opinions and behaviors of oral surgery (OS) and endodontics (E) faculty and postdoctoral trainees. Semi-structured interview guides were used to conduct 10 key-informant interviews with faculty and focus group discussions with 18 postdoctoral trainees. Interviews and focus group discussions were recorded, transcribed and coded for thematic content. E faculty reported infrequent use of opioids for dental pain management, while OS faculty frequently prescribed opioids. Conversely, E faculty were more likely to use prescription drug monitoring programs to track patients’ potential for addiction compared to OS. In conclusion, the frequency of opioid prescribing for dental pain management varies among the two dental specialties.

Recommended Citation

Marwaha, Rochisha Singh D.D.S., M.P.H., FICD; Hasselgren, Gunnar D.D.S., Ph.D.; Douglas-Broten, Sarah D.M.D., M.P.H.; Eisig, Sidney B. D.D.S.; and Ahluwalia, Kavita P. D.D.S., M.P.H. (2025) "A Qualitative Assessment of the Role of Dental Specialists in the United States Opioid Epidemic: Dental School Faculty and Postdoctoral Trainee Perspectives," The New York State Dental Journal: Vol. 91: No. 6, Article 4.
Available at: https://commons.ada.org/nysdj/vol91/iss6/4