Advil Dual Action earns first ADA Seal for short-term pain relief

New Seal category supports ADA guidelines that recommend NSAIDs for acute dental pain

Advil Dual Action is the first product to earn the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance in a newly established category for short-term pain relief.

The ADA Council on Scientific Affairs awarded the Seal to the over-the-counter pain reliever — which contains both ibuprofen and acetaminophen — based on its safety and efficacy in helping to temporarily manage acute dental pain when used as directed. Advil Dual Action is sold by Haleon.

The new category titled “orally administered analgesic for the temporary management of acute dental pain” supports ADA clinical practice guidelines that recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs alone or in combination with acetaminophen as first-line therapies for short-term dental pain.

Evidence shows that these over-the-counter products can help patients manage pain after a dental procedure or when dental care is not immediately available more effectively than prescription opioid medications. The ADA recommends patients seek professional help when experiencing dental pain.

"For many years, dentists have embraced recommending NSAIDs taken alone or with acetaminophen as an effective way to help their patients manage dental pain, and the evidence supports that," said Purnima Kumar, D.D.S., Ph.D., chair of the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs. “The ADA Seal helps make the choice clearer in a moment when someone needs dental pain relief.”

The ADA Seal of Acceptance program was established in 1931 to assist dental professionals in making informed recommendations concerning the safety and efficacy of consumer products. Members of the Council on Scientific Affairs review product submissions, including data from clinical studies demonstrating safety and efficacy, and only award the Seal when specific categorical requirements are met. More than 400 products currently carry the Seal.

“As a brand that’s been trusted for over 40-plus years on all types of aches and pains, Advil is focused on providing powerful relief at the source of pain. Advil Dual Action combines two pain-fighting ingredients — acetaminophen and ibuprofen — and clinical studies show that the combination of ingredients is stronger and lasts longer than ibuprofen and regular-strength acetaminophen alone,” said Karen Bouhadana, senior brand director for Advil. “We’re proud that Dual Action has now been recognized by the ADA as a reliable, safe and effective pain reliever for short-term dental pain.”

For more information about the Seal program, visit ADA.org/Seal. Learn more about the ADA’s guidance on oral pain relief at ADA.org/painmanagement.