Ethics & Law · single question
A patient requests acetaminophen/oxycodone (Percocet) for dental pain. The most appropriate course of action is to:
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Deny the request and refer to a specialist / use appropriate non-opioid analgesia
- A. Correct. Opioids are not first-line for most dental pain; the dentist should decline an inappropriate request and manage pain appropriately (NSAIDs/acetaminophen) or refer.
- B. Dispensing controlled drugs from office supply on demand is inappropriate and often illegal.
- C. Filling a full opioid request simply because it was asked for is not evidence-based or responsible.
- D. Antibiotics do not treat pain and are inappropriate as a substitute analgesic.