Skip to main content
Michigan OPEN
Michigan OPEN
Resources  |  Publications

Dental Opioid Prescriptions and Overdose Risk in Patients and Their Families

  • Initial opioid prescriptions after dental procedures were associated with a higher risk of opioid overdose in patients.
  • The magnitude of increased risk was greater in patients who were publicly insured and in patients who had mental health or substance use disorders. Among privately insured patients in family plans, initial opioid prescriptions after dental procedures were associated with a higher risk of overdose in patients’ family members.
  • These findings highlight the importance of avoiding unnecessary dental opioid prescribing.


Visit Website

Chua KP, Kenney BC, Waljee JF, Brummett CM, Nalliah RP. Dental Opioid Prescriptions and Overdose Risk in Patients and Their Families. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published online 29 April 2021. DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2021.02.008