SARASOTA, FLA.
Dental Care Alliance recognizes the vital role that dental healthcare professionals play in the fight against our nation’s staggering opioid epidemic. In dentistry, prescription opioids are often used to control acute (short-term) pain after intensive procedures such as tooth extractions, placement of implants and endodontic and periodontal surgeries. While most statistics show that the number of opioids prescribed by dentists has steadily declined since the early 1990’s, the problem remains a critical one. Accordingly, Dental Care Alliance chooses to support our affiliated practices and doctors, so they may be leaders and educators at the forefront of this critical public health issue.
In support of Florida House Bill 451 on Nonopioid Alternatives, Dental Care Alliance recently made an educational pamphlet available to all its affiliated dental healthcare professionals in Florida for use in proactively communicating with patients before administering anesthesia or prescribing, ordering, dispensing or administering an opioid listed as a Schedule II controlled substance for the treatment of pain. The information in the educational pamphlet will serve to support an informed conversation with patients about available nonopioid alternatives, as well as the advantages and disadvantages associated with use. By empowering them with this information, patients assume an active and educated role in their dental healthcare, which is paramount to DCA’s unwavering promise to support the delivery of a quality, world-class experience for every individual.
“At DCA, we inspire and improve the lives of each other and those in the communities that we serve. DCA-affiliated practices and doctors always lookout for patients, because when they do, the rest takes care of itself,” commented Dr. Don Gallo, Chief Clinical Officer for Dental Care Alliance. “While recent legislation only impacts the state of Florida, as a thoughtful industry-leader, we are fully committed to providing support to the entire family of doctors and dental professionals in the fight against opioid abuse.”
