This year is my 30 years in dentistry, and as with all things – change is inevitable
Today I have sat in my first ever OSCE – an exam I’ve sat and passed – Oral Surgery Diploma is on it’s way
With new apps / access to information, I’ve gained some valuable knowledge on medication and interactions, and I suppose that as we live longer, medications change, as do medical conditions. I thought I’d give a very simple overview of what we can prescribe as dentists, and for those dentists that want some valuable resources, here we go
In the UK, dentists can prescribe medications listed in the British National Formulary (BNF) within their scope of practice.
The BNF is a reference book containing information about drugs approved for use in the UK, including their indications, dosage, and administration. Dentists can prescribe medications listed in the BNF for dental conditions such as pain, infection, and inflammation.
Some examples of medications that dentists can prescribe include:
- Antibiotics for bacterial infections
- Analgesics (painkillers) for pain relief
- Anti-inflammatory drugs for swelling and inflammation
- Local anaesthetics for dental procedures
However, dentists can also prescribe medications not listed in the BNF for conditions which should be within their scope of practice. For example, I prescribe drugs in aesthetic medicine, and dermatology and weight loss – all areas in which I have gained knowledge and education over the years
In addition to prescribing medications, dentists can also provide advice on over-the-counter medications, such as painkillers or mouthwashes, and may recommend specific products for their patients.
It is important to note that dentists can also prescribe medications privately, outside of the NHS. Private prescriptions can be used to obtain medicines unavailable on the NHS or to access drugs more quickly than through the NHS – again, this should be within your scope of practice
Knowledge of prescribing and drug interactions are all essential skills that a dentist has to be kept updated upon
I’ve attached below SDCEP – which is an invaluable resource of information, and their online app is even better
BNF – again available as a book but better online
and don’t forget great resources such as the British Association of Oral Surgery
Patients, their care and their safety are always central to all decisions we make in dentistry and prescribing the appropriate drug, recognising drug interactions and their safety and efficacy essential to patient care
Forever learning.