HealthFirst’s basic dental emergency medical kits now include the opioid reversal agent naloxone in the form of NARCAN nasal spray, providing another critical emergency medication for saving lives. These kits enable dental offices to meet evolving compliance obligations, are available in a variety of sizes, and are designed for both general and specialty practices.
The Opioid Crisis is a National Emergency
According to the annual National Survey on Drug Use, 13 percent (or 35.8 million Americans) used an illicit drug in the past month. And 12.5 million people misused prescription drugs. Every day, 1,000 people in the United States are treated for misusing prescription opioids. This alarming trend has led the American Dental Association (ADA) to issue a policy to address the opioid crisis. The ADA is committed to the goal of ending the opioid abuse that has been devastating to our country’s families and communities.
Naloxone Can Reverse an Opioid Overdose
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that binds to opioid receptors to reverse and block the effects of these substances. When administered quickly, it can very quickly restore normal respiration to a person whose breathing has slowed or stopped due to an opioid overdose. Naloxone can be administered as an injectable, auto-injectable, or as a nasal spray. NARCAN nasal spray is supplied in a prefilled, needle-free device that requires no assembly and is sprayed into one nostril while a patient lies on his or her back. According to HealthFirst Medical Advisory Board Member Dr. Stanley Malamed, naloxone is generally considered an extremely safe medication that only has a noticeable effect on people with opioids in their systems.
Naloxone Can Help Dentists Respond to Opioid Crisis
After extensively studying the impact of the opioid crisis, HealthFirst made the decision to add NARCAN nasal spray to its SM Series basic emergency medical kits. Response from our customers has been overwhelmingly supportive and appreciative. Dentists, just like other medical professionals, are being called on to help save the lives of overdose victims in and near their offices. Not being able to help a patient or a bystander in a medical crisis can put your practice and your patients at greater risk.
