Dentists can prescribe medications and controlled substances ONLY FOR TOOTH-RELATED conditions. There are several different medications that your dentist may prescribe, depending on your condition. Some medications are prescribed to combat certain oral diseases, prevent or treat infections, or to control pain and relieve anxiety. A dentist cannot prescribe medication for any reason outside of dental practice.
In other words, there are many types of medications that a dentist has the authority to prescribe, but they must be related to the course of the patient's dental treatment. For example, if a patient's sinus condition needed to be treated before maxillofacial surgery could be performed, a dentist could prescribe medication for the sinuses in that specific circumstance. Opioids are a type of medication used to relieve pain. They require a prescription from your dentist or doctor and include medications such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine and codeine.
Opioids also include illegal drugs, such as heroin. A dentist can only prescribe medications related to dental health. For example, a dentist might prescribe an antibiotic for you. This would be designed to prevent infection in a patient who had gum disease.
However, a dentist cannot prescribe medication for a headache or cold. Do not take calcium, magnesium, or iron supplements while you are taking fluoride without consulting your dentist. Be aware of informing your dentists of any health conditions you may have (especially any kidney disease or liver problem or any nervous system disease). In addition, you should visit your dentist at least every six months to have your teeth cleaned and your gums examined.
Dental sealants are a popular general dental procedure that many people consider to protect their teeth. While there are limitations to what dentists can prescribe, there are many medications that the dentist can administer. When a medication is not available over-the-counter, but the patient needs to get it from a pharmacist, the dentist will issue a prescription. Your dentist may prescribe pilocarpine, marketed as Salagan, if you have been diagnosed with dry mouth.
In cases like these, the dentist will usually only recommend the pharmaceutical product to the patient, since a prescription is not necessary. Whenever possible, a Delaware dentist will recommend over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, for dental pain. It is prescribed for children and adults who live in homes where water is not fluoridated (fluoride has not been added to the water) or in people at high risk of developing tooth decay. Therefore, a dentist's office must keep complete and copious records of any prescriptions they issue for controlled substances.
To ease the discomfort that may result from some dental procedures, such as tooth extraction, gums and other dental surgeries, or placement of dental implants, dentists can prescribe medications to relieve pain, including opioids. Be sure to tell your dentist if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medication or skin disinfectants that contain chlorhexidine.
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