Opioid Prescribing Trends by Dentists in Manitoba

A recent article entitled “Opioid prescribing by dentists in Manitoba, Canada: A longitudinal analysis” in the Journal of the American Dental Association has revealed new information about opioid use and prescribing in the province. Today, in follow up to our review of trends in Ontario and Nova Scotia, we continue to look at prescription trends among Canadian dentist, this time in Manitoba.

We sat down Dr. Jamison Falk, researcher and assistant professor at the University of Manitoba to discuss the state of opioid prescription and what new data coming out of the province tells us. 

About Dr. Falk

Dr. Jamie Falk received his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Manitoba in 1997. He worked as a community pharmacist before pursuing his Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the University of British Columbia. After graduating from the PharmD program in 2004, he practiced as a clinical pharmacy specialist in intensive care medicine in Victoria, BC, transitioning in 2007 to Manitoba to take on a clinical and teaching role in family medicine. He subsequently joined the College of Pharmacy in 2013.

In addition to providing presentations of evidence synopses and research at local, national, and international conferences, he is the co-founder of the MEDS Conference. 

Dr. Falk’s research focuses on Application and translation of evidence-based medicine to clinical practice through assessment of systematic reviews, guidelines, and shared decision-making models. His research also focuses on pharmacoepidemiology and drug utilization related to the management of chronic conditions including diabetes, COPD, and osteoporosis, specific evaluations of patterns of over-treatment and polypharmacy; and opioid use and prescribing practices in pregnancy, acute and chronic pain.

During this conversation Dr. Falk discusses:

• How the province of Manitoba tracks prescriptions, specifically those from dentists.
• What percentage of opioids in the province are being prescribed by dentists.
• When opioids are prescribed, which ones are typically given and how much.
• How opioid prescribing by dentists in Manitoba compares to other provinces.
• Continuing to curb opioid use and prescribing. 
• Future research efforts to further investigate prescribing among surgeons and non-surgeons.

Read/download the transcript of the conversation (PDF)

Oasis Moment/Preview (1.47″)

Full Conversation (12.32″)

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Until next time!

CDA Oasis Team