Prevention and Optimal Management of Peri-Surgical Pain in Dentistry

Abstract

It is every patient's right to expect optimal pain management in relation to routine elective surgery. Dentistry is a profession predicated upon causing and/or managing pain in patients. Poorly managed pain, or severe pain, peri-operatively, is the predominant cause of complaints in NHS dentistry, often leading to legal or GDC scrutiny. Whether the unexpected or persistent pain initiates the patient's suspicions about possible sub-optimal treatment, which then precipitates a complaint, is a possible hypothesis. For now, however, focusing on managing the patient holistically using up-to-date pain management should be a priority for all dental teams. Recent evidence highlights the risks of opiate and opioid dependence and mortality. In addition, the minimal benefit these medications provide for peri-operative pain management compared with other over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics is recognized. Competent patient management, optimal local anaesthetic techniques and intelligent prescription of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and paracetamol are the mainstay for odontogenic and surgical pain management. CPD/Clinical Relevance: It is imperative that dental teams are familiar with current optimal peri-surgical pain management to optimize the patient's experience and minimize complaint.