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Ethics & Law · single question

A patient always takes diazepam before dental cleanings. Now going on vacation, he asks for valium in case of dental emergency. What should you do?

  1. Prescribe valium for this appointment only
  2. Refer him to his primary care physician for the valium prescription
  3. Prescribe valium for this appointment and the next
  4. Refuse to prescribe and dismiss the patient from the office
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Refer him to his primary care physician for the valium prescription

  • A. Prescribing a controlled anxiolytic medication (diazepam is Schedule IV) 'just in case' for a dental emergency on vacation is outside the scope of appropriate prescribing. Diazepam requires informed consent, monitoring, and a specific indication.
  • B. The MOST APPROPRIATE action is to REFER THE PATIENT TO HIS PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN (PCP) for the prescription of anxiolytic medication for use during travel. The PCP has the full medical history, ongoing relationship, and appropriate authority to prescribe controlled medications for the patient's general anxiety needs. The dentist should continue to provide dental anxiety management through established protocols within their scope.
  • C. Prescribing for future/hypothetical use is not appropriate dental prescribing practice.
  • D. Refusing and dismissing the patient without referral could constitute abandonment and does not address the patient's underlying anxiety appropriately.

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