http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7699-8183
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Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study was to describe dentists’ training experiences relevant to pain management, addiction, and prescription opioid drug diversion and examine associations between these training experiences and dentists’ opioid prescribing practices. Methods: A Web-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted among practicing dentist members of the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN; N = 822). The survey assessed pain management prescribing practices and training experiences related to pain management and assessment for addiction and drug diversion. Survey data were linked with National Dental PBRN Enrollment Questionnaire data regarding practitioner demographics and practice characteristics. Results: The majority of dentists (67%) reported prior training in pain management; however, a minority of dentists reported prior training regarding identification and assessment of drug abuse or addiction (48%) or identification of prescription drug diversion (25%). The majority of training experiences across all topics occurred through continuing dental education participation. Dental school training relevant to pain management, addiction, and identification of drug diversion was more prevalent among more recent dental school graduates. Training experiences were associated with prescribing practices. Conclusions: Results suggest that across multiple levels of training, many dentists are not receiving training specific to addiction assessment and identification of drug diversion. Such training is associated with greater consistency of risk mitigation implementation in practice.
Acknowledgments
An Internet site devoted to details about the nation’s network is located at http://NationalDentalPBRN.org. We are very grateful to the network’s regional coordinators who followed up with network practitioners to improve the response rate (Midwest Region: Tracy Shea, RDH, BSDH; Western Region: Stephanie Hodge, MA; Northeast Region: Christine O’Brien, RDH; South Atlantic Region: Hanna Knopf, BA, Deborah McEdward, RDH, BS, CCRP; South Central Region: Claudia Carcelén, MPH, Shermetria Massingale, MPH, CHES, Ellen Sowell, BA; Southwest Region: Stephanie Reyes, BA, Meredith Buchberg, MPH, Colleen Dolan, MPH).
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Jenna L. McCauley
Authors McCauley, Leite, Fillingim, and Brady designed the study and wrote the protocol. Authors Reyes, Meyerowitz, Gordan, Rindal, Gilbert, and the National Dental PBRN Collaborative Group provided feedback on the study protocol. Author McCauley conducted the literature searches and provided summaries of the previous research studies. Author McCauley conducted the statistical analysis, with advisement on the analysis plan from Authors Gilbert and Meyerowitz. Author McCauley wrote the first draft of the manuscript and all authors contributed to and have approved the final manuscript.
Stephanie Reyes
Authors McCauley, Leite, Fillingim, and Brady designed the study and wrote the protocol. Authors Reyes, Meyerowitz, Gordan, Rindal, Gilbert, and the National Dental PBRN Collaborative Group provided feedback on the study protocol. Author McCauley conducted the literature searches and provided summaries of the previous research studies. Author McCauley conducted the statistical analysis, with advisement on the analysis plan from Authors Gilbert and Meyerowitz. Author McCauley wrote the first draft of the manuscript and all authors contributed to and have approved the final manuscript.
Cyril Meyerowitz
Authors McCauley, Leite, Fillingim, and Brady designed the study and wrote the protocol. Authors Reyes, Meyerowitz, Gordan, Rindal, Gilbert, and the National Dental PBRN Collaborative Group provided feedback on the study protocol. Author McCauley conducted the literature searches and provided summaries of the previous research studies. Author McCauley conducted the statistical analysis, with advisement on the analysis plan from Authors Gilbert and Meyerowitz. Author McCauley wrote the first draft of the manuscript and all authors contributed to and have approved the final manuscript.
Valeria V. Gordan
Authors McCauley, Leite, Fillingim, and Brady designed the study and wrote the protocol. Authors Reyes, Meyerowitz, Gordan, Rindal, Gilbert, and the National Dental PBRN Collaborative Group provided feedback on the study protocol. Author McCauley conducted the literature searches and provided summaries of the previous research studies. Author McCauley conducted the statistical analysis, with advisement on the analysis plan from Authors Gilbert and Meyerowitz. Author McCauley wrote the first draft of the manuscript and all authors contributed to and have approved the final manuscript.
D. Brad Rindal
Authors McCauley, Leite, Fillingim, and Brady designed the study and wrote the protocol. Authors Reyes, Meyerowitz, Gordan, Rindal, Gilbert, and the National Dental PBRN Collaborative Group provided feedback on the study protocol. Author McCauley conducted the literature searches and provided summaries of the previous research studies. Author McCauley conducted the statistical analysis, with advisement on the analysis plan from Authors Gilbert and Meyerowitz. Author McCauley wrote the first draft of the manuscript and all authors contributed to and have approved the final manuscript.
Gregg H. Gilbert
Authors McCauley, Leite, Fillingim, and Brady designed the study and wrote the protocol. Authors Reyes, Meyerowitz, Gordan, Rindal, Gilbert, and the National Dental PBRN Collaborative Group provided feedback on the study protocol. Author McCauley conducted the literature searches and provided summaries of the previous research studies. Author McCauley conducted the statistical analysis, with advisement on the analysis plan from Authors Gilbert and Meyerowitz. Author McCauley wrote the first draft of the manuscript and all authors contributed to and have approved the final manuscript.
Renata S. Leite
Authors McCauley, Leite, Fillingim, and Brady designed the study and wrote the protocol. Authors Reyes, Meyerowitz, Gordan, Rindal, Gilbert, and the National Dental PBRN Collaborative Group provided feedback on the study protocol. Author McCauley conducted the literature searches and provided summaries of the previous research studies. Author McCauley conducted the statistical analysis, with advisement on the analysis plan from Authors Gilbert and Meyerowitz. Author McCauley wrote the first draft of the manuscript and all authors contributed to and have approved the final manuscript.
Roger B. Fillingim
Authors McCauley, Leite, Fillingim, and Brady designed the study and wrote the protocol. Authors Reyes, Meyerowitz, Gordan, Rindal, Gilbert, and the National Dental PBRN Collaborative Group provided feedback on the study protocol. Author McCauley conducted the literature searches and provided summaries of the previous research studies. Author McCauley conducted the statistical analysis, with advisement on the analysis plan from Authors Gilbert and Meyerowitz. Author McCauley wrote the first draft of the manuscript and all authors contributed to and have approved the final manuscript.
Kathleen T. Brady
Authors McCauley, Leite, Fillingim, and Brady designed the study and wrote the protocol. Authors Reyes, Meyerowitz, Gordan, Rindal, Gilbert, and the National Dental PBRN Collaborative Group provided feedback on the study protocol. Author McCauley conducted the literature searches and provided summaries of the previous research studies. Author McCauley conducted the statistical analysis, with advisement on the analysis plan from Authors Gilbert and Meyerowitz. Author McCauley wrote the first draft of the manuscript and all authors contributed to and have approved the final manuscript.