Document Type

Dataset

Publication Date

2023

Abstract

Background:

Medical Marijuana (MM) use is increasing, requiring healthcare professionals, such as dentists, to possess a working knowledge of MM. Previous studies have indicated that MM education is lacking in current healthcare education.

Methods:

A 50-question survey was created to assess, in detail, dental and dental hygiene faculty and students knowledge, practice, and attitudes toward MM, and to identify possible correlations between responses. The survey was modeled after a previous survey conducted amongst practicing pharmacists. All faculty dentists, faculty dental hygienists, students and residents at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific, were invited by email to participate.

Results:

A total of 219 surveys were included in this study. The factor that had the most abundant correlations was the opinion that MM is valuable for pain. This view had a positive correlation with the opinions that 1) MM may be better than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, and narcotics for pain control and risk/benefit ratios; 2) that physicians and pharmacies should dispense MM; 3) that recreational marijuana should be approved; 4) agreement with the current MM dispensing methods, 5) a preference for patients to use MM, 6) favoring MM if it were available by prescription and FDA approved, 7) preferring the use of CBD-formulations; and 8) feeling that more research and education (as well as continuing education credit) are needed.

Conclusions:

Having more information and control over both the product and access to it might lead to increased comfort for providers. This would lead to better outcomes as well as greater communication between patients and their providers.

Practical Implications:

The findings of this survey suggest more MM education and research is needed — statements with which the majority participants of this study have explicitly and strongly agreed.

Comments

IRB Approval # -- IRB2020-11

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