Two weeks ago, Dr. Omar Abubaker, chair of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, shared in the Richmond Times Dispatch some important facts, thoughts and emotions about the ongoing opiate crisis facing our society. I am grateful for his efforts to highlight the ongoing crisis of opiate addiction and death.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has grabbed our attention over the past few years, opiate addiction has continued to challenge wellness in America. The facts are clear: there were more than 100,000 drug overdose deaths in the United States during the 12-month period ending in April 2021 and nearly 1 million people have died of overdose since 1999.

Data from the CDC indicates that in Virginia drug overdose deaths increased from approximately 1,500 in 2020 to over 2,500 in 2022. There is much we can do to reverse this trend that includes improving opioid prescribing, intervening in opioid use disorder and reversing overdoses. I invite you all to explore the CDC resources and learn more at www.cdc.gov/opioids/addiction-medicine/primer.html.

Dentistry’s integral role in health care demands that we contribute to addressing this matter. Take some time to become informed, to be aware and to be part of dentistry’s efforts to reduce opioid addiction and deaths in our communities.