Members of an expert panel together with representatives from the American Dental Association Science and Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, and University of Pennsylvania cooperatively developed an acute dental pain management guideline to assist in managing acute dental pain for adolescents (aged 12 - < 17 years), adults (aged 17 - < 65 years), and older adults (aged ≥ 65 years). Their findings, titled "Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for the pharmacologic management of acute dental pain in adolescents, adults, and older adults: A report from the American Dental Association Science and Research Institute, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Pennsylvania", were published in the February 2024 issue (Volume 155, Issue 2) of the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA).
A separate guideline was developed for pediatric (<12 years) patients titled "Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for the pharmacologic management of acute dental pain in children: A report from the American Dental Association Science and Research Institute, the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, and the Center for Integrative Global Oral Health at the University of Pennsylvania." This guidelines was published in the September 2023 issue (Volume 154, Issue 9) of JADA.
Dental Organization Endorsements
"Endorsements are a valuable way for dentists and members of the oral healthcare team to learn about important evidence-based updates to practice," said Dr. Deborah Polk, Visiting Associate Professor at Pitt Dental Medicine and one of the principal investigators of the study.
Below are listed dental organizations that have endorsed the pediatric and/or adolescent and adult guidelines. As additional organizations share their endorsement of the guidelines, they will be added below.
American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners
The American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners (AAENP) serves as the expert and unified voice for nurse practitioners in emergency care. AAENP promotes high-quality, evidence-based practice for nurse practitioners providing emergency care for patients of all ages and acuities in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team. AAENP seeks to establish quality and safety guidelines for emergency health care; support research, training, and continuing clinical education; and collaborate with professional health organizations and academic institutions
American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) represents more than 9,000 oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the United States, supports its members through education, research, and advocacy.
American Dental Association
The American Dental Association (ADA) has endorsed both the pediatric and adolescent / adult / older adult acute dental pain management guidelines. Their endorsement appears on the ADA Oral Analgesics for Acute Dental Pain webpage.
The ADA’s mission is to help dentists succeed and support the advancement of the health of the public. This important organization is guided by the core values of integrity, excellence, and a dedication to evidence-based dental medicine. The ADA also advocates for public health issues such as access to care, rules and regulations that surround the practice of dentistry and more.
Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors
The Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) has endorsed the acute dental pain management guidelines through their July/August 2024 Newsletter.
The ASTDD is a national non-profit organization representing the directors and staff of state and territorial public health agency oral health programs. Begun in 1948, it is one of 20 affiliates of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). ASTDD formulates and promotes the establishment of national dental public health policy, assists state/territorial dental programs in the development and implementation of programs and policies for the prevention of oral diseases; builds awareness and strengthens dental public health professionals' knowledge and skills by developing position papers and policy statements; provides information on oral health to health officials and policy makers, and conducts conferences for the dental public health community.
International Association of Paediatric Dentistry
In 2024, the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry (IAPD) has endorsed the pediatric acute dental pain management guidelines.
Founded in 1969, the IAPD is a non-profit organization with the objective of contributing to the international promotion of the oral health of children by acting as a forum for its members, numbering more than 30,000 certified pediatric dentists and general dental practitioners with an interest in treating children.
Other Acknowledgements
Below you will find news articles as well as a list of organizations who shared their support of the guidelines and / or included links to the guidelines on their website.
The American Society of Dental Anesthesiologists (ASDA) have endorsed the guidelines as a step in the right direction.
Selected Articles Mentioning the Guidelines or Using as a Reference
Dentists' Group Issues New Pain-Control Guidelines for Teens, Adults (usnews.com)
Avoid Opioids for Short-Term Dental Pain in Kids, New Guidelines Say (usnews.com)
ADA Releases Guidance for Pain Management in Pediatric Patients (Becker’s Dental Review)
New guideline for managing toothache in children (MDEdge)
Takeaways: New guideline on acute dental pain management (Penn Today (University of Pennsylvania))
Toothache: First aid (Mayo Clinic)
ADA releases guideline on dental pain management in adults, adolescents (Dentistry IQ)
New Guideline for Managing Toothache in Kids (Medscape)
An Update on FDA’s Overdose Prevention Framework - Addressing Critical Areas of Need (USFDA)
Links to the Guidelines
ADA
Acute Dental Pain Management Guideline (2023/2024)
FDA
Supporting Clinical Practice Guidelines for Drugs with Abuse Potential