A new law limits the number of opioids a dentist can prescribe to a patient, according to The Kansas City Star.
The bill, which was signed into law earlier this month, restricts dentists to not prescribe more than 10 regular Vicodin pills per day. Dentists should also not prescribe long-acting opioids, such as oxycontin, at any time.
Dentists are required to document when prescriptions exceed the prescribing limits. If dentists do not abide by the documentation or prescribing rules, the state dental board can investigate and potentially strip them of their practicing license.
Patient advocacy groups are arguing against the rule, saying it doesn’t take into account patients' size or other factors that affect opioid sensitivity.
Missouri Dental Association President Dan Kessler, who helped write the bill, believes it is a step to combating the opioid epidemic.
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The bill, which was signed into law earlier this month, restricts dentists to not prescribe more than 10 regular Vicodin pills per day. Dentists should also not prescribe long-acting opioids, such as oxycontin, at any time.
Dentists are required to document when prescriptions exceed the prescribing limits. If dentists do not abide by the documentation or prescribing rules, the state dental board can investigate and potentially strip them of their practicing license.
Patient advocacy groups are arguing against the rule, saying it doesn’t take into account patients' size or other factors that affect opioid sensitivity.
Missouri Dental Association President Dan Kessler, who helped write the bill, believes it is a step to combating the opioid epidemic.
More articles on dental:
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Danaher dental sales dip 3 percent in Q2: 5 notes
6 dentists making headlines