The Wisconsin Dental Pain Protocol (WDPP) provides an evidence-based framework for the diagnosis, treatment and care coordination of non-traumatic dental pain. WDPP's primary aim is to reduce opioid prescribing by training local ED and urgent care providers in dental nerve blocks and non-opioid pain management strategies. A secondary aim is to prevent repeat ED visits for recurrent dental pain by establishing partnerships and referral systems within communities to ensure that patients presenting with dental pain receive definitive care for the cause of their pain.

Since 2021, 270 ED and urgent care providers have been trained in dental anesthesia techniques. In the participating sites, there has been an increase in ED visits given a local anesthetic for dental pain, a decrease in ED visits for non-traumatic dental pain prescribed an opioid, and over 50% of program-referred patients received definitive dental care.

To learn more about resources for WDPP or assistance for implementation, visit the website at www.widentalpain.org.