Policy on Acute Pain Management in Pediatric Dentistry

Policy statement

The AAPD recognizes that pediatric dental patients may experience pain as a direct result of their oral condition or secondary to invasive dental procedures. Inadequate pain control has the potential for significant physical and psychological consequences, including altering future pain experiences for these children. Furthermore, pharmacologic agents used in pediatric pain management have potential for toxicity and adverse reactions, with narcotics at risk for diversion to unintended recipients. Therefore, the AAPD encourages:

• healthcare professionals to emphasize preventive oral health practices and to implement safe and effective pre-, intra-, and post-operative approaches to minimize the patient’s risk for pain.
• healthcare practitioners to follow evidence-based recommendations regarding analgesic use by pediatric patients to minimize untoward reactions and potential for substance misuse.
• additional research to determine safe and effective treatment modalities for acute pain.