Prescribing, Prescription Monitoring and Anesthesia Permits
Prescribing and monitoring
In Mississippi, prescribing is a dental act controlled by the Dental Practice Act and Board rules. Dental hygienists do not independently prescribe controlled substances. A hygienist may administer local anesthesia only if the specific certification, supervision, and permit requirements are met. Dentists who prescribe controlled substances must comply with the prescription monitoring program and document appropriately.
Anesthesia permits
The Board issues permits for sedation and anesthesia by dentists. The permit level must match the sedation depth and patient risk. Equipment, monitoring, rescue drugs, and trained staff are required. The permit is not transferable and must be renewed.
Worked example
A dentist asks a hygienist to call a pharmacy and authorize an antibiotic for a patient. The reasoning: the hygienist is not the prescriber and cannot independently authorize the prescription. The dentist must prescribe or the call must be made under a lawful protocol that the Board recognizes.
Traps
- Assuming a hygiene license includes prescribing.
- Administering local anesthesia without the required certification.
- Failing to check the PMP when required.
- Using a sedation permit for a deeper level than authorized.