Did you know that more Americans die from an accidental opioid overdose than from car accidents? It’s true. According to the National Safety Council, since 2017 one had a higher risk of death from opioids than from a car crash.

It’s true. According to the National Safety Council, since 2017 one had a higher risk of death from opioids than from a car crash.

Opioid overdose deaths also surpassed motor vehicle crashes as the second most likely cause of unintentional and preventable death, following suicides. However, the rise in rank of overdoses wasn’t attributable to a decrease in motor vehicles deaths. In fact, deaths from motor vehicle crashes also have trended upward in recent years.

The National Safety Council’s analysis did include illegal opioids, such as heroin. However, prescription opioids, including oxycodone and hydrocodone, still accounted for nearly 12,000 deaths last year. While dentists have changed their prescription habits, the Safety Council urged dentists to prescribe opioids responsibility and look into nonopioid alternatives.”.”

Importantly, our office has not prescribed any opioids for years.  Normal dental procedures should not require such a prescription.

If the pain is bad enough to require opioid medications, we will refer you to the proper health care professional to find the cause and relieve you of that pain.