Our Commitment to Addressing Opioid Abuse

The issue of preventing drug diversion and opiate addiction is important to the dental profession and the Ohio Dental Association.  The Ohio Dental Association has been proud to partner with policymakers and other interested parties to address this critical issue over the last several years.

The number of prescription opioids dispensed to Ohioans declined for the sixth consecutive year in 2018, according to a State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy’s Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS) report.

Resources

  • Take Charge Ohio – Several state agencies and licensing boards developed the Take Charge Ohio initiative. Resources for health care providers include educational materials for patients and tools such as prescribing guidelines, MED calculators, and OARRS.
  • Rx Basics for Ohio Dentists – This document created by the ODA provides information on the requirements for dentists when prescribing, possessing or personally furnishing opioids.
  • Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS) website – OARRS is a tool to track the dispensing and personal furnishing of controlled prescription drugs to patients.
  • OARRS FAQ – Information from the Ohio Pharmacy Board about who needs to register, how to register, and when to access OARRS.
  • “Start Talking!” consent form – Ohio law requires prescribers to obtain a statutorily defined informed consent form, known as the “Start Talking!” form from a parent, guardian or other authorized adult prior to prescribing a minor a controlled substance that contains an opioid.
  • ADA opiate resources – The ADA president is urging dentists to help prevent opioid abuse. The ADA provides resources, tools and CE opportunities for dentists to help in this effort.

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