Effect of Academic Detailing to Reduce Opioid Prescribing in Dentistry: a Randomized Quality Improvement Effort

The purpose of this project is to improve quality of care for dental patients in the state of Michigan. This will be achieved through educating dentists about best practices for opioid prescribing and includes three continuing education (CE) credits and one (or two) academic detailing (AD) visits. The cohort of 90 dentists who are enrolled to the CE will be randomized into two groups upon enrollment. One of these groups, half of the cohort, will receive the academic detailing. A report will be written highlighting key findings from this project and best practices for treating patients after dental care.The quality of care for dental patients will be improved by sharing this information with both participating and non-participating dental providers statewide through reports, manuscripts, and presentations. These data will inform best practice with the potential for future academic detailing and educational interventions for dentists and oral surgeons.