Opioid prescribing patterns by dental procedure among US publicly and privately insured patients, 2013 through 2018

Abstract

BackgroundIt is unknown which procedures account for the most US dental opioid prescriptions. Moreover, few national studies have assessed opioid prescribing patterns for these procedures. These knowledge gaps impede the optimal targeting of dental opioid stewardship initiatives. MethodsThe authors analyzed claims data from the 2013 through 2018 IBM MarketScan Dental, Commercial, and Medicaid Multi-State Databases. Patients aged 13 through 64 years undergoing 1 of 120 procedures were identified. “Initial prescriptions” were opioid prescriptions dispensed on the date of procedures to 3 days afterward. For the procedures accounting for the 5 highest proportions of initial prescriptions, the authors fitted linear regression models assessing trends in the probability of 1 or more initial prescriptions and mean total morphine milligram equivalents prescribed—a standardized measure of opioid amount. Regressions were adjusted for demographic characteristics and comorbidities. ResultsThe 9,482,976 procedures in the sample were associated with 2,721,688 initial prescriptions. Of these prescriptions, 5 procedures accounted for 95.2%: tooth extraction (65.2%), problem-focused limited oral evaluation (17.2%), endodontic therapy (8.4%), alveoloplasty (2.9%), and surgical implant services (1.5%). Among the 5 procedures, the median adjusted annual change in the probability of 1 or more initial prescriptions was −1.3 percentage points. The median adjusted annual change in mean total morphine milligram equivalents was −4.5 (roughly 1 pill containing 5 mg of hydrocodone). In 2018, 45.3% of tooth extractions resulted in 1 or more initial prescriptions. ConclusionsFive procedures accounted for 95.2% of dental opioid prescriptions, and tooth extraction accounted for almost two-thirds of those. Opioid prescribing for tooth extractions is declining but remains common, despite the availability of equally effective nonopioid alternatives. Practical ImplicationsEliminating routine opioid prescribing for tooth extraction could reduce dental opioid exposure substantially.