A patient is aggressively demanding a prescription for oxycodone, threatens the staff when told to wait, and refuses to leave the premises. What is the appropriate management?

When a patient becomes threatening, aggressive, or violent in a dental office while demanding controlled substances, the appropriate response is to call 911 (emergency services). Prescribing opioids under duress or threat is illegal and unethical (this would constitute coercion or contributing to drug-seeking behavior). A dental professional has both a legal and ethical obligation not to prescribe controlled substances inappropriately. Patient and staff safety takes priority, and law enforcement should be contacted when there is a credible threat to safety.