How to help a patient that has opioid addiction — which of the following is EXCEPT (should NOT be done)?

Correct answer: A. Recommend medical marijuana

• A. Recommending MEDICAL MARIJUANA is NOT the appropriate dental management for a patient with opioid addiction. While medical cannabis may have some pain applications, recommending it to a patient with substance use disorder history requires specialist involvement. The dentist should: (1) provide non-opioid analgesics, (2) refer to addiction specialist/counselor, (3) provide patient education. Recommending another psychoactive substance is NOT within the standard dental management scope.
• B. Patient education about addiction resources and oral health IS appropriate — this IS something you should do.
• C. Referring to an addiction specialist IS appropriate and recommended — this IS something you should do.
• D. Prescribing NSAIDs IS an appropriate non-opioid approach for a patient with opioid addiction — this IS something you should do (avoid opioids).