Abstract
AIMS: To report findings from a national survey of dentists regarding their -naloxone distribution practices.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional, national electronic survey.
SETTINGS: United States, National Dental Practice-Based Research Network (National Dental PBRN).
PARTICIPANTS: A national sample of 790 dentist members of the National Dental PBRN in active clinical practice.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Substance Use Disorders Screening (SUDS) survey assessed dentists' willingness to distribute naloxone to adult patients. SUDS survey data were merged with existing National Dental PBRN Enrollment Questionnaire data regarding practitioner's demographics and practice characteristics.
RESULTS: A minority of dentists (8.8 percent) reported currently distributing -naloxone in their practice. Nearly half of the remaining respondents reported being either very willing (n = 121; 16.9 percent) or moderately willing (n = 235; 32.9 percent) to distribute naloxone in the future. Current distribution and future willingness were associated with younger practitioner age. Future willingness to distribute naloxone is presented as a function of additional practice and practitioner characteristics and was associated with self-reported frequency of screening, counseling, and referring for substance use disorders.
CONCLUSIONS: Younger dentists and those practicing in government settings were more likely to be current distributors of naloxone, likely a result of intentional -programing currently implemented in dental school and government practice -settings to increase naloxone education and distribution. Nearly half of the dentists not currently distributing naloxone indicated a willingness to distribute naloxone in the future, and current findings aid in the identification of opportunities to scale outreach, training, and practice supports for those dental practices willing to serve as distribution points for their patients.