Screening for Substance Use in the Dental Setting

Ask about substance use. Dr. Kessler starts this conversation during the health history or the oral health screen. Talking about the carcinogens in tobacco and marijuana presents a prime opportunity to ask about past or current substance use. The ADA Practical Guide to Substance Use Disorders and Safe Prescribing provides guidance on screening for risky substance use using the screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) model. Additional drug screening and assessment resources are available via the NIDAMED website.

Address unhealthy substance use in an open and nonjudgmental manner. Dr. Kessler stresses how important it is to come from a place of caring to dispel feelings of stigma or shame. To prepare for these discussions, read through patient scenarios with suggested clinician responses in the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s How Do You Address Patient Resistance resource.

Provide resources and referrals for addiction treatment. Refer patients to a local behavioral health provider to work toward recovery. Dr. Kessler recommends doing this before treating any dental issues, because patients with untreated addiction could have adverse reactions during dental treatment that are connected to their drug use. In emergency dental situations, refer the patient to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon or a local emergency room. Both of these clinical settings have the necessary equipment to evaluate the patient’s medical status and monitor vital signs before dental treatment is rendered.

Explain the research on opioids versus over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications. Let the patient know that research shows that acetaminophen and ibuprofen provide maximum pain relief when compared with other medications (Moore et al., 2018) and that the ADA recommends the use of non-opioid medications as a first line of defense.

Reassure patients who are in addiction recovery that you will manage their dental-related pain. Fear, stress, and anxiety can be emotional triggers for relapse. Manage these feelings by explaining how you will help patients address their pain without increasing their risk for relapse; reiterate that OTC medications are effective.

Check your state’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) and screen for opioid misuse risk if prescribing opioids is necessary. The PDMP is useful for understanding a patient’s history with opioids. Find out more from the Journal of the ADA article The Prescription Monitoring Program Data: What It Can Tell You. Consider screening for opioid misuse using a tool such as the Opioid Risk Tool.

Stay up to date. The ADA provides guidelines and continuing education on opioid use disorder and other substance use disorders. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons provides opioid prescribing recommendations as well as white papers on pain management.

Take training courses on addiction. Enhancing your knowledge with trainings and information on the science of addiction and the oral health effects of substance use can help you spot red flags and build confidence to address risky substance use with patients. Ms. Botts recommends checking the Journal of Dental Hygiene for current articles about addiction or contact your local dental hygiene association to request continuing education on addiction, substance use, and drug trends.

Ask all patients about substance use. Include questions about substance use in the medical history or ask about it during the oral cancer screen. A report of any substance use indicates patients’ readiness to discuss it and can be a starting point for a conversation about their use. For tips on asking patients about their drug use, visit the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s Drug Screening and Assessment Resources page.

Establish a baseline and watch for changes. Ms. Botts suggests including notes in the patient’s chart about their oral health and behaviors, which can help you recognize changes over time. Hygienists typically see patients more frequently than other providers, have their patients’ attention for about an hour, and thus are in a prime position to catch changes early. 

Offer prevention messages. Talking about the negative effects of drug use on the brain is important—especially in teens, who are often more curious and open to talking about what drugs do to their bodies.