§ 33.208. Prescribing, administering and dispensing medications.
(a) When prescribing, administering or dispensing medications not included under § 33.207 (relating to prescribing, administering and dispensing controlled substances), dentists shall comply with, or cause compliance with, the following minimum standards:
(1) Scope of authority. A dentist may prescribe, administer or dispense medication only:
(i) In good faith in the course of the dentist’s professional practice.
(ii) Within the scope of the dentist-patient relationship.
(iii) In accordance with treatment principles accepted by a responsible segment of the profession.
(2) Dental examination and medical history. A dental examination shall be conducted and a medical history shall be taken before a dentist initially prescribes, administers or dispenses medication to a patient. The examination and medical history shall be complete enough to justify the prescription, administration or dispensation of the medication. The examination shall focus on the patient’s dental problems, and the resulting diagnosis shall relate to the patient’s specific complaint. The patient’s dental record shall contain written evidence of the examination and medical history.
(3) Records. On each occasion when medication is prescribed, administered or dispensed to a patient, an entry shall be made in the patient’s dental record containing the following information:
(i) The name, quantity and strength of the medication.
(ii) The directions for use.
(iii) The date of issuance.
(iv) The condition for which the medication was issued.
(4) Emergency prescriptions. If an emergency requires the issuance of a prescription, an appropriate short-term prescription may be telephoned to a pharmacist. A dentist may not order a renewal or a refill of an emergency prescription unless the order is in writing and the dentist has given the patient a dental examination and has taken a medical history as required by paragraph (2).
(b) A dentist’s failure to comply with this section will be considered unprofessional conduct and will subject the noncomplying dentist to disciplinary action as authorized in section 4.1(a)(8) of the act (63 P. S. § 123.1(a)(8)).
Source The provisions of this § 33.208 adopted June 23, 1995, effective June 24, 1995, 25 Pa.B. 2492.
Cross References This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 33.209 (relating to preparing, maintaining and retaining patient records); and 49 Pa. Code § 33.212 (relating to misleading, deceptive, untrue or fraudulent representations).
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