More than 13,000 people died in 2023 from overdoses involving prescription opioids—more than the death rate from car accidents. Dentists play an important role in combatting the opioid crisis.

Dental students should be prepared to prescribe opioids responsibly, which includes communicating risks and being aware of signs of misuse. The CDC and ADA also encourage dentists to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics (NSAIDs) as the first intervention for treatment of acute pain.