PijnvizierPain relief in dental care
EN
Situations

Outside opening hours

Telephone assessment and temporary pain relief while awaiting care.

Prescription options

Before advising

Ask about symptoms, analgesics already taken, medical conditions and other medicines.

Assess the child's symptoms as soon as possible. If needed, follow the pathway for Pain in children, Postoperative bleeding or Swelling and infection.

Pain relief when treatment can safely be deferred

If the on-call dentist considers it safe to defer treatment, paracetamol is the first choice for adults with mild to moderate acute nociceptive pain. Take into account medicines already taken and patient-specific factors. For children, see the paediatric advice.

If pain relief is inadequate and the patient cannot see their own dentist within 24 hours, the KNMT recommends assessment by the dentist on duty. See Persistent or worsening pain.

Prescription options

Drafts for adults. Check the indication, contraindications and current medicines before prescribing.

Paracetamol aloneAdults · when treatment can safely be deferred after triage

First option for acute nociceptive pain. This example applies to adults weighing more than 55 kg without risk factors for hepatotoxicity.

Checks before prescribing

Include all paracetamol from over-the-counter and combination products. Adjust the dose if there are risk factors.

  • R/ Paracetamol 500 mg tablet

    Per dose
    1,000 mg by mouth (2 tablets)
    Frequency and interval in this example
    If necessary up to 3 times a day, approximately 8 hours between intakes
    Maximum per 24 hours
    3,000 mg (6 tablets)
    Quantity in this draft
    Maximum 12 tablets

Duration in this example: 2 days. Stop earlier if the medicine is no longer needed. Reassess if pain relief is inadequate or pain worsens.

Sources for this topic

Reference for dentists on acute dental pain and pain after treatment.