抄録
The primary analgesic agents used in dental practice (diclofenac sodium and loxoprofen sodium) currently are not covered by national health insurance for the indication of toothache.
We conducted a survey of dentists from 11 national university dental hospitals using a short questionnaire to determine their perceptions regarding the need for insurance coverage for dental therapeutics. In total, 132 questionnaires were returned, and approximately 22.5% of the dentists noted that they routinely order diclofenac and loxoprofen to treat toothache despite knowing that such use is considered off-label and thereby not covered by insurance.
To increase insurance coverage for dental medications, medical and dental scientific organizations should convince health agencies to pressure pharmaceutical manufacturers to conduct clinical trials and seek regulatory approval for unlabeled dental indications.
