Analgesic prescribing patterns of dental practitioners in Germany.

PURPOSE: To analyze the prescribing patterns of analgesics by dentists in Germany during an investigation period of five years in comparison to analgesic prescriptions by physicians and in relation to international prescribing data.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed nationwide data of all prescriptions of analgesics and antiphlogistics (except strong opioids) on the basis of the annual reports of the German statutory health insurances from 2012 to 2016. The types of analgesics, the number of prescriptions and the prescribed 'defined daily doses' (DDD) itemized by dentists and physicians were analyzed. The results were compared with each other and assigned to international dental prescribing data.

RESULTS: During the investigation period the number of dental prescriptions of analgesics decreased by 3.4%, on the part of the physicians the increase amounted to 10.4%. Ibuprofen is the first line analgesic in Germany, its share in the dental analgesic prescription volume increased from 61.9% in 2012 to 88.1% in 2016. In the international comparison it could be demonstrated that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) play the most important role in nearly all countries.

CONCLUSIONS: Continual training activities and international monitoring of dental analgesic prescription patterns are necessary to develop guidelines for the rational and appropriate use of analgesics in dentistry.