[Barrin92]

In the US apparently. I'm German and I also found it completely wild when I heard it. Over here they give you barely anything if they fix a cavity and for wisdom teeth you get local anesthetics, and afterwards they tell you to take an ibuprofen and an ice pack when you have some pain. People in the States even told me they got opioids from a dentist.

[dtech]

North-western Europe generally does a lot less for pain management than US and the rest of Europe. It's a big complaint of expats.

I've heard it explained as a cultural remnant "pain belongs with life, suck it up" from protestantism.

[bombolo]

Well mother theresa wasn't big in anesthetics as well.

[formerly_proven]

GA isn't uncommon there for wisdom teeth removal, either, standard insurance just doesn't pay for it so it's reserved for privately insured people.

[yojo]

Can confirm re:opioids, the dentist prescribed Vicodin (acetaminophen + hydrocodone) post surgery. It seemed pretty excessive.