Half of the Dentists Say Patients Are Coming to Appointments While Intoxicated
TUESDAY, Nov. 8, 2022 (HealthDay News)– More and more anxious patients are coming intoxicated for dental appointments, frequently causing dentists to postpone treatment until the patient sobers up, new survey data indicate.
As more states are legalizing cannabis, more than half of dentists (52%) report seeing patients intoxicated with weed or other drugs, a new survey from the American Dental Association (ADA) discovered.
” In my practice, I am seeing more patients who openly admit cannabis use,” stated ADA spokeswoman Dr. Tricia Quartey.
Several use marijuana to relax before an appointment, yet being high can restrict the care dentists can give and lead to delayed procedures, Quartey added.
” When someone is under the influence, often we require to give even more anesthetic, or we might have difficulty with anesthesia,” Quartey stated. “If you can not obtain somebody fully numb, it is not specifically creating the very same experience and minimizing the stress and anxiety. You have to quit a visit and send somebody residence.”
The study found that 56% of dentists did just that, specifying that they restrict treatment while patients are high.
The information was amassed from 2 online studies, that included over 550 dentists across the United States and just over 1,000 patients. Among patients, the second survey found that 39% said they used cannabis. On top of that, 25% of patients claimed they vaped, and of those participants, 51% vaped marijuana.
Quartey said dentists should ask their patients if they use marijuana, and patients should talk about their cannabis usage with their dentist. The ADA survey found that 67% of patients are comfortable speaking to their dentist regarding cannabis.
“The advice to patients is to not use cannabis before an appointment,” Quartey said. “You believe it will reduce anxiety, and it is not. However, if you do, inform your dentist so they can be completely aware of what is happening at the appointment. You should also know that the dentist often terminates the appointment.”
Treating intoxicated patients
Dr. Anna Green, the chief pediatric dental resident at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in Queens, N.Y., said it is difficult to treat patients high on cannabis or other psychoactive drugs.
“A patient that is drunk on any drug will not be in the sober and healthy state of mind to understand treatment and consent. Generally, a patient will have to be rescheduled and be seen when sober,” she stated.
Moreover, cannabis can create increased blood loss and complications after dental procedures, Green included.
Cannabis can likewise increase the risk of periodontal disease and dry mouth. “If you know of a patient that utilizes cannabis, it is essential to inform them of all the oral health risk factors they might experience if they continue to use,” she noted.
In addition, patients that utilize marijuana might have a raised danger of cavities. “Most users, generally, have poorer oral health and hygiene,” Green stated.
People who use cannabis are additionally prone to higher heart rates, anxiety, and hyperactivity. “This might cause raised dental stress in the chair. This also makes using epinephrine in local anesthetics a potentially dangerous risk,” Green cautioned.
“It is very important to inform your patients of the unfavorable effects of cannabis usage while stressing the value of routine dental visits, oral hygiene, and a healthy diet,” she claimed.
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