The Drug Enforcement Administration's recent announcement that it will increase its prescriber registration fee has elicited some backlash from the dental community, but not all dentists need to register, according to the California Dental Association.
Beginning Oct. 1, the DEA will increase its registration fee for prescribers from $731 to $888 for a three-year period.
However, registration is necessary only for dentists who prescribe controlled substances. Dentists can prescribe fluoride, antibiotics and other noncontrolled substances without registering. Before a dentist skips DEA registration, they should check if their dental plan requires it for the credentialing process, according to the CDA.
Fewer dentists are prescribing controlled substances, as dental schools and continuing education programs now often recommend dentists prescribe ibuprofen or a combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen for pain management.
The fee increase has garnered criticism because many dentists are already facing dire financial situations amid the pandemic. The American Dental Association sent a letter to the DEA Aug. 6 asking it to delay the fee increase one year.
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