Prescribing and dispensing drugs: some frequently asked questions
Do dentists have the authority to prescribe any drug for any individual?
No. A dentist’s privileges to prescribe and dispense drugs are limited to the scope of practice of dentistry. A dentist may only prescribe and dispense drugs for their patients of record. This means that a dentist can only prescribe or dispense drugs for the purpose of diagnosing, treating or preventing conditions of the oral-facial complex for patients that they are treating.
Before prescribing any drug, a dentist must have current knowledge of the patient’s true health status and clinical condition. This can only be acquired by obtaining a medical history and conducting an appropriate clinical examination of the patient in order to make a diagnosis or differential diagnosis, or otherwise establishing a clinical indication for the use of a drug. There must be a logical connection between the drug prescribed and the diagnosis or clinical indication.
Can dentists prescribe for themselves?
No. Dentists may not self-prescribe any drugs.
Can dentists prescribe for friends or family members?
Yes. A dentist in Ontario can prescribe drugs for friends and family members who are their patients of record, provided these prescriptions are for the purpose of treating conditions within the scope of practice of dentistry. Dentists may not prescribe drugs for a non-dental purpose.
What information must be included with a prescription?
Dentists must provide:
- name of the patient;
- full date (day, month and year);
- name of the drug, drug strength and quantity or duration of therapy;
- full instructions for use of the drug;
- refill instructions, if applicable;
- printed name of the prescriber;
- address and telephone number of the dental office where the patient’s records are kept;
- signature of the prescriber or, in the case of electronically produced prescriptions, a clear and unique identifier, which shows the dispenser that the prescriber has authorized the individual prescription.
If the prescription is for a monitored drug, as defined in the Narcotics Safety and Awareness Act, 2010, dentists must also provide:
- their RCDSO registration number;
- an identification number for the patient and the type of identification used.
Where do dentists get their authority to prescribe?
Dentists receive their authority to prescribe and dispense drugs from various provincial and federal statutes, including the Dentistry Act, 1991; the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act, 1990; the Food and Drugs Act, 1985; the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, 1996; and the regulations made under them.