TL;DR:
- Patients on Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) often present with complex dental needs due to factors like xerostomia (dry mouth), past neglect, and dental anxiety.
- Providing non-judgmental, trauma-informed dental care is a crucial and high-impact intervention for this population’s overall health.
- Key clinical considerations include managing xerostomia proactively, using standard local anesthetics, and employing a multimodal approach for post-procedural pain.
- Arrow Medical provides the medical stability that allows patients to engage in regular dental care. We are your partners in their health and are available for consultation.
Table of Contents
- The Dentist’s Vital Role in a Patient’s Recovery Journey
- Common Oral Health Challenges in the OAT Population
- Clinical Considerations for Safe and Effective Dental Care
- Partnering with Arrow Medical for Coordinated Care
- Frequently Asked Questions for Dentists
As a dentist, you play a vital role in the overall health of your patients. For individuals on Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) with medications like methadone or Suboxone, your role is even more critical. Many of these patients have faced significant barriers to care and may present with complex dental needs.
By providing compassionate, non-judgmental, and technically sound dental care, you can alleviate pain, improve health, and significantly boost a patient’s self-esteem and confidence—all of which are cornerstones of a successful recovery. At Arrow Medical, we stabilize patients medically so they are able to seek out essential services like dentistry. We see you as a key partner in their journey.
Common Oral Health Challenges in the OAT Population
Understanding the common challenges helps in providing proactive and effective care.
- Xerostomia (Dry Mouth): This is one of the most common side effects of OAT medications. A chronic lack of saliva dramatically increases the risk for rampant caries, periodontal disease, and oral candidiasis.
- High-Sugar Diets: Some patients may have a diet high in sugar. Additionally, the liquid formulation of methadone contains sugar, which can contribute to caries risk if oral hygiene is poor.
- Past Neglect: Due to the challenges of active addiction, many patients have had long periods without regular dental care, leading to extensive treatment needs.
- Dental Anxiety and Trauma: Many patients have a history of trauma, which can make dental appointments highly stressful. A history of being treated with stigma or judgment in healthcare settings can also create significant fear.
Clinical Considerations for Safe and Effective Dental Care
Managing Xerostomia:
- Proactively recommend saliva substitutes, xylitol-containing gums or mints, and frequent sips of water.
- Prescribe high-fluoride toothpaste to mitigate caries risk.
- Emphasize meticulous oral hygiene instructions.
Anesthesia and Pain Management:
- Local Anesthesia: Standard local anesthetics (e.g., lidocaine with epinephrine) are safe and effective. There are no contraindications for their use with methadone or buprenorphine.
- Post-Procedural Pain: A multimodal, non-opioid approach should be the first line.
- Scheduled NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) and acetaminophen are highly effective for managing dental pain.
- For more significant pain (e.g., surgical extraction), if short-acting opioids are deemed necessary, it is best practice to prescribe a small quantity for a short duration (2-3 days).
- A quick consultation with the patient’s OAT provider at Arrow Medical is encouraged if you have questions about prescribing.
Creating a Trauma-Informed Environment:
- Adopt a non-judgmental and stigma-free approach.
- Clearly explain what you are doing before you do it.
- Frequently check in with the patient to ensure they are comfortable.
- Give the patient a sense of control, for example, by agreeing on a hand signal they can use if they need a break.
Partnering with Arrow Medical for Coordinated Care
When you treat a patient from Arrow Medical, you can be confident they are part of a comprehensive medical program.
- Medical Stability: Our programs provide the medical stability and structure that make it possible for patients to attend scheduled appointments.
- Open for Consultation: Our physicians are available to discuss mutual patients, whether it’s a question about pain management or a medication interaction.
- Seamless Referrals: We make it easy for you to refer patients back to us. If a patient mentions a struggle with their addiction, you can confidently tell them to walk into our clinic for immediate, non-judgmental support. See our guide for referring providers.
Frequently Asked Questions for Dentists
Q: Are there drug interactions I should be aware of?
The most significant interactions are with CNS depressants. Avoid prescribing benzodiazepines for anxiety if possible. If procedural sedation is required, it should be done in consultation with the OAT provider, and preferably in a setting with appropriate monitoring.
Q: The patient’s methadone is sweetened. Is this a major cause of caries?
While the sugar in liquid methadone can be a contributing factor, the primary driver of caries risk is usually the xerostomia caused by the medication. Advising patients to rinse with water after their dose can help mitigate the local effect of the sugar.
Q: How do I handle a patient who seems to be “drug-seeking” for pain medication?
It’s important to differentiate between drug-seeking behaviour and legitimate, undertreated pain in a patient with high opioid tolerance. Trusting your clinical judgment, relying on objective signs, and using a multimodal non-opioid approach as your first line is the best strategy. A direct conversation with the patient about the pain management plan can also be very effective.
By providing compassionate and informed dental care, you become an essential part of a patient’s recovery. Arrow Medical values your expertise and is committed to working collaboratively to improve the overall health of the people we serve.