Awareness of usage of fentanyl in dental applications among dental students

Abstract

Opioids like fentanyl are used both alone and in combination with other drugs to induce anesthesia and treat pain. It is also combined with heroin or cocaine when used recreationally. It starts acting quickly, and its effects usually wear off within 2 h. A typical pharmaceutical strategy for controlling the physical pain and psychological discomfort related to dental treatments, including surgery, is moderate (conscious) sedation. This study aimed to assess knowledge and awareness about dental applications of fentanyl among dental students. A 15-question survey was sent through an online platform to about 150 dental students in Tamil Nadu. Data were collected over a 6-month period and compared using SPSS software by IBM. The results were statistically analyzed and graphically interpreted. From the results obtained, we can observe that from the respondents of the current survey, 52% were undergraduates and 48% were postgraduate dental students. About 93% of them were aware of the fact that fentanyl comes under opioid analgesics, and 82% were aware that it is mostly used in case of pediatric patients. About 81% of the participants were aware that apart from benzodiazepines, fentanyl can also be used in combination with general anesthesia in dentistry. This study revealed that most of the participants are aware of the commonly used anesthesia and analgesia such as fentanyl in dental practices. However, more continuing dental education programs and seminars must be conducted to further enhance the knowledge and understanding of dental students about drugs such as fentanyl in dental practice.