Is it illegal for dentist to prescribe drugs to himself/herself?

[Smooth Operater]

Is it illegal for dentist to prescribe drugs to himself/herself for personal use? I am just wondering. Thanks

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[Zzzdentist]

I don't think it's illegal, but it's frowned upon by the association. Also I think some pharmacy associations may advise their members to decline certain prescriptions for personal use.

I do believe that you can get medications for the office like a large quantity of T3's, etc..

In the real world side, I've talked with pharmacists about this exact issue, and they generally will fill whatever the dentist asks for even if it's obviously for personal usage.

 

[Elipar]

Have you ever looked in a dental supply catalog? They list all sorts of drugs that have NO connection to dentistry, like Viagra and Retin-A! It's true that you can order narcotics... I don't see why that should be though. You can't dispense them to patients, yet you're not supposed to buy them for yourself. So... who are they for?

 

[drhobie7]

In CA it is against the code of ethics to prescribe medicine to yourself or family members.

 

[clickytop]

In CA it is against the code of ethics to prescribe medicine to yourself or family members.

So I need to find somewhere else to get my AZT?

 

[tinker bell]

You can write prescription to family members if they are your patients, and you indeed treat them

 

[aphistis]

Is it illegal for dentist to prescribe drugs to himself/herself for personal use? I am just wondering. Thanks

"The physician who treats himself has a fool for a doctor." - Unknown

 

[diagnodent]

You can prescribe yourself non-abusive drugs---antibiotics, allergy meds, etc provided the pharmacist is cool. You can't prescribe yourself narcotics, anti-depressants, etc.

 

[Zzzdentist]

I don't think some of these comments apply everywhere since I know of one dentist who requested a prescription for cocaine base for "in office" use. Apparently he used it for some special anesthetic application.

I didn't even know that they could supply that in a pharmacy!

Okay, now all you coke head dental students, don't all go rushing in to have your Rx's filled.

Another dentist dropped off a script for a huge amount of Ritalin for his kid.

I think it all depends on what pharmacist you get, and whether they would risk reporting you to your college.

 

[crazy_sherm]

I don't think some of these comments apply everywhere since I know of one dentist who requested a prescription for cocaine base for "in office" use. Apparently he used it for some special anesthetic application.

I know some dentists who do a lot of OR cases will use cocaine along with an anticholinergic for nasotracheal intubation. This was all done at a hospital though, so they didn't need to pick it up at a pharmacy.

 

[docj1]

"The physician who treats himself has a fool for a doctor." - Unknown

"A physician who treats himself has a fool for a patient."—Sir William Osler

And also a fool for a doctor

 

[aphistis]

"A physician who treats himself has a fool for a patient."—Sir William Osler

And also a fool for a doctor

Whoops. I stand corrected.

 

[drhobie7]

I know some dentists who do a lot of OR cases will use cocaine along with an anticholinergic for nasotracheal intubation. This was all done at a hospital though, so they didn't need to pick it up at a pharmacy.

Hmm...not sure that's necessary for them to do. I see our anesthesiologists use lidocaine jelly to do our nasals. We have used cocaine gauzes to pack the nose after dissecting the nasal mucosa during orthognathic surgery.

 

[crazy_sherm]

Hmm...not sure that's necessary for them to do. I see our anesthesiologists use lidocaine jelly to do our nasals. We have used cocaine gauzes to pack the nose after dissecting the nasal mucosa during orthognathic surgery.

Probably not necessary and not all of the hospital dentists at school use it. I was just trying to think of a legitimate reason for a dentist to use cocaine other than that "it's one helluva drug."

 

[MStarr]

Actually the lidocaine gel would be used for an entirely different purpose than the cocaine.
If the gel is used it's primary purpose is lubrication for easier passage.
4% liquid cocaine is used for it's vasoconstrictive properties and of course cocaine is also the only local anesthetic with vasoconstricitive properties.
I don't use either, warming the tube works well and if necessary aphrin spray will suffice.

As far as prescribing or ordering drugs.... one with a DEA# can get just about anything she wants.... I won't tell you how to do it and I highly recommend not going down that road....

 

[maksidaa]

We had a 3 hour seminar today about this very issue, with 4 individuals that had been addicted to either pills or alcohol or both (they were all dentists or dental specialists). in Georgia there are several laws that can get you in trouble if you write an Rx for anyone who is not your patient AND even if they are the Rx has to be dental oriented. otherwise you're considered practicing outside your license and can be punished for it.
also, federal agencies tend to keep track of large amounts of drugs going to a dental office that are not considered dental drugs, so be careful of that. they'll show up in your office with a stack of papers and make your life miserable.

 

[DocHolliday1]

Have you ever looked in a dental supply catalog? It's true that you can order narcotics... I don't see why that should be though. You can't dispense them to patients, yet you're not supposed to buy them for yourself. So... who are they for?

I believe it is a state issue, but I'm pretty sure in my state a practicioner may dispense drugs to patients (including narcotics), but only a pharmacist can charge for the drugs. With sedation, you are charging for the service and not the specific or amount of drugs used.

Anyone else heard of this?