title: Combating an Epidemic of Prescription Opioid Abuse.
abstract: The past decade has witnessed an alarming increase in the number of deaths due to prescription opioids that has paralleled the rise in the number of opioid prescriptions dispensed. Prescription drug monitoring programs, abuse-deterrent formulations and proper disposal of opioids have been promoted to help combat the opioid epidemic. We discuss changes that dentists, the third most frequent prescribers of opioids, can implement to help reduce the risk of prescription opioid abuse in their communities.
authors.forename: Doreen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pon
authors.forename: Kwaku
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Awuah
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Curi
authors.forename: Ernest
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Okyere
authors.forename: Craig S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Stern
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D002140:California; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D061891:Controlled Substances; D019992:Databases as Topic; D003815:Dentists; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control; D058999:Drug-Seeking Behavior; D006801:Humans; D006853:Hydrocodone / Q000009:adverse effects; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D064226:Prescription Drug Diversion / Q000517:prevention & control; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012037:Refuse Disposal; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D061891:Controlled Substances; D006853:Hydrocodone