High-risk medications in pediatric dentistry: Patterns, outcomes, and clinical implications.

ABSTRACT:

Background

High-risk medications such as opioids and benzodiazepines are frequently prescribed in pediatric dental care, yet their prescribing patterns and associated adverse outcomes remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of such prescribing to pediatric patients and factors associated with adverse outcomes.

Methods

MarketScan data for patients younger than 18 years with a dental visit from 2014 through 2019 were analyzed. High-risk medications included benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and opioids. Composite outcomes included hospitalization, emergency department visit, or urgent care visit within 7 days after the dental visit. Opioid-attributable outcomes included opioid-related overdose within 7 days or persistent opioid use 4 through 36

SUBMITTER: Liu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12862245 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature