Improving access to oral health care for patients with opioid use disorder: Dentists' perspectives on barriers and solutions.

backgroundPeople with opioid use disorder (OUD) often experience poor oral health yet rarely receive adequate oral health care. This gap highlights the need to understand the barriers to and facilitators of care involved. The authors used qualitative methods to investigate the challenges dentists face in providing care to patients with OUD and explored potential solutions.

methodsSeventeen dentists were interviewed individually using a semistructured interview created specifically for the study. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, with eligibility based on their experience in treating patients with OUD. Transcripts were coded using deductive and inductive approaches and enrollment continued until thematic saturation.

resultsDentists reported challenges such as insufficient education, pain management difficulties, patient noncompliance, logistical barriers, and emotional strain. Dentists highlighted the importance of improved education and training, increased collaboration between addiction specialists and primary care providers, and colocation of services as key facilitators of better care. Systemic improvements such as centralized electronic health records and better insurance reimbursement were also identified as instrumental.

conclusionsDentists face substantial, overlapping barriers in treating patients with OUD. Enhanced education, reimbursement policies, and systemic support may improve provider confidence and care quality. Researchers should explore intervention effectiveness in addressing these challenges. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Addressing these barriers through increased education, interprofessional collaboration, and systemic support could improve access and oral health care outcomes for people with OUD.