A patient needs an opioid for travel pain management. She has been previously prescribed this medication. What should you do?

Correct answer: B. Refer to her physician for ongoing pain management

• A. Incorrect. Prescribing opioids for travel without a documented dental indication and proper evaluation goes beyond the dentist's appropriate scope of practice.
• B. Correct. A dentist should REFER the patient to her PHYSICIAN for management of chronic opioid therapy for non-dental pain. Travel pain management is beyond the dental scope — the physician who originally prescribed can assess ongoing appropriateness and manage the prescription safely.
• C. Incorrect. There is nothing criminal described in this scenario — law enforcement is not appropriate.
• D. Incorrect. Dismissing a patient seeking legitimate pain management is inappropriate and potentially abandonment.