Tuesday, July 19, 2016

US Surgeon General Warning Opioid Abuse May Begin Following Wisdom Tooth Removal

NBC News (6/21) reports in an online video that US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is “sounding the alarm” about the nation’s epidemic of opioid abuse, warning that for “many teens, opioid abuse can begin with” the removal of wisdom teeth. A study published in JAMA found that following a tooth extraction, 61 percent of 14- to 17-year-olds received prescriptions for opioids. NBC News reports Dr. Paul Moore of the University of Pittsburgh is encouraging dentists to alter prescribing behavior.

        ADA.org provides resources and information on opioid abuse.

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