165 - Trends in Postoperative Pain Management By Pediatric Dentists

Objectives: Opioid use disorder is becoming more of a concern due to risky use of opioids with children and adolescents. The objective of this study is to compare results to data from Murphy et al. (2006) and assess any significant changes in postoperative pain management by pediatric dentists in the last 20 years.

Methods: A 16 web-based survey was distributed to all pediatric dentist members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) using Qualtrics®. Survey questions included: Demographics, practice type, clinical scenarios, and preferred analgesics. Comparisons between the survey responses from the current study against the results found in Murphy’s 2006 study were performed using Mantel-Haenszel chi-square tests for ordered categorical responses and Pearson chi-square tests for nominal responses.

Results: A higher percentage of pediatric dentists believe that children experience pain at a higher level than adults now compared to 2006 (p=0.015). The frequency of recommending post-operative OTC analgesics is more common now for single extractions (p=0.002), multiple extractions (p=0.001), simple restorative (p=0.001), invasive restorative (p=0.004), and dental trauma (p < 0.001). The frequency of prescribing prescription pain medications (opioids) is more common now for multiple extractions (p=0.040) and dental trauma (p=0.012).

Conclusions: Pediatric dentists believe that children experience pain as the same level of adults or even higher now. Recommendations for OTC analgesics are more common now by pediatric dentists. However, a significant amount still recommends opioids following multiple extractions and dental trauma as compared to 2006.