Dentists: limit staff access to drugs, chance for substance abuse

    Feb. 10, 2010
    Dentists who place too much trust in their employees make themselves and their practices vulnerable to people who abuse controlled substances, article suggests.

    Dental offices and the pharmaceuticals used there present a risk for drug abuse, but dentists can put policies in place that help reduce the chance of illegal use of controlled substances, according to an article in the current issue of Anesthesia Progress.

    Joel M. Weaver, DDS, PhD, writes that dentists who place too much trust in their employees make themselves and their practices vulnerable to people who abuse controlled substances.

    Dentists who regulate drug access and distribution are protecting more than their practice. They're also protecting their patients, employees and reputation.

    While it's often easier to stick with the way things have traditionally been done, making a few changes to drug access policies makes good business sense, Weaver said.

    "Although change is difficult and usually meets with resistance, the thoughtful practitioner who can step back and observe his or her practice for potentially fatal weaknesses will be much less likely to succumb to a disaster," Weaver wrote.

    "Accredited hospitals already have strict rules to help prevent drug theft, but private unaccredited offices without mandatory controls are highly vulnerable to drug theft and deception."

    By taking sole responsibility for storing, filling and handling syringes with controlled substances, dentists reduce the chance for illegal drug use and mistaken dosages. It's important to rely only on those licensed to handle medications, Weaver said, such as physicians, dentists, nurses and pharmacists.

    Other employees who receive on-the-job training also may be more likely to make mistakes with drug dosages and concentrations.

    "Who should have access to controlled substances in the dental office? The answer is simple: only licensed professionals and as few of them as is reasonable," he said.

    For more information on limiting prescription drug access, read the entire article, "Who Should Have Access to the Controlled Substances in Your Office?" at access.

    To read more about controlled substances, go to controlled substances.

    To comment on this topic, go to PennWell Dental Community site.