Cocaine use among dentists refers to the historical use of cocaine by dentists, primarily as a local anesthetic and euphoriant. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, cocaine was widely used in dentistry due to its ability to numb pain and reduce bleeding during dental procedures.
Cocaine's popularity in dentistry declined significantly after the passage of the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act of 1914, which restricted the use and distribution of cocaine in the United States. Today, cocaine use among dentists is rare, and the use of safer and more effective local anesthetics is standard practice.