A patient has a drug abuse history and calls requesting an opioid refill over the phone, saying they lost their prescription. What should the dentist do?

Correct answer: D. Tell the patient to come to the clinic in person for evaluation

• A. Contacting the physician is appropriate as an additional step but the primary response is to require the patient to come in person.
• B. Pharmacist verification of an original prescription does not address the current situation of a drug-seeking patient.
• C. Phoning in an opioid refill without seeing the patient is inappropriate and potentially illegal.
• D. Correct. When a patient with drug abuse history requests opioid prescriptions by phone (especially for 'lost' prescriptions), the patient must come IN PERSON to the clinic for evaluation. This prevents prescription diversion, ensures the dentist can properly evaluate the pain complaint, and follows responsible opioid prescribing guidelines.