Dr. Andrew Young - Responsibilities and Requirements of Prescribing Schedule II Opioid Drugs-Responsibilities and Requirements of Prescribing Schedule II Opioid Drugs

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The webinar, hosted by the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry, focused on the responsibilities and regulations involved in prescribing scheduled opioid drugs, especially in dental practice. The moderator reviewed CE logistics, including how certificates will now be accessed through CSPD accounts, and introduced speaker Dr. Andrew Young, an expert in orofacial pain and evidence-based dentistry.<br /><br />Dr. Young explained how pain signals travel through the nervous system and how opioids reduce pain by blocking calcium channels, inhibiting adenylyl cyclase, and hyperpolarizing neurons. He then detailed the key opioid-related concepts of tolerance, dependence, withdrawal, and substance use disorder, emphasizing how opioid misuse can begin with prescribed medications and progress to addiction. He also discussed risk factors for misuse and addiction, including younger age, psychological vulnerability, social environment, route of administration, and life transitions.<br /><br />The presentation reviewed misuse versus diversion, the role of pharmacists, and California’s CURES drug monitoring program. Dr. Young outlined federal and state scheduling rules for opioids, including refill limits and requirements for checking CURES.<br /><br />A major focus was pain prevention and non-opioid management. He advocated a “pain prevention paradigm” centered on prevention, NSAIDs, local anesthetics, steroids, acetaminophen, and individualized treatment. He emphasized that NSAIDs and acetaminophen often provide pain control comparable to or better than opioids, with fewer risks. The talk concluded with guidance on opioid dosing, morphine milligram equivalents, adverse reactions, and drug interactions, especially with CNS depressants and alcohol.

Keywords

opioid prescribing

pediatric dentistry

California Society of Pediatric Dentistry

scheduled opioid drugs

pain management

opioid misuse

substance use disorder

CURES drug monitoring program

NSAIDs

acetaminophen

local anesthetics

opioid regulations

morphine milligram equivalents

drug interactions

evidence-based dentistry