Dentist Faces License Suspension For Mishandling Prescription Drugs

Those in the medical field, including dentists, have access to a wide variety of medications. While most medical professionals are responsible when prescribing these drugs to patients, some engage in activities that are unethical, such as overprescribing medications.

A dentist has been engaging in this very activity for the past several years, according to the state dentistry board in Oklahoma. The dentist would use his patients to get a hold of sedatives. That way, their insurance companies would pay for them and he wouldn’t have to go through the manufacturers. He could now face various penalties.

The board filed a complaint against the dentist for his various unethical activities. For the past three years, the dentist would allegedly overprescribe the drugs and then tell patients to give him back the pills. This is illegal. Patients need to know that they should never be forced to fill a prescription and then return the medication to the dentist or doctor.

According to the 16-page complaint, the dentist overprescribed two sedatives more than 150 times. He would keep the majority of the pills, giving the patient just two pills. The dentist is also accused of giving patients pills prescribed for someone else. Sometimes he would even sell the sedatives to patients.

While no criminal charges have been filed against the dentist as of yet, he is in trouble with the dentistry board. An investigation showed that he violated eight codes of the State Dental Act. They spoke to several people and uncovered multiple issues with the dentist.

The dentist faces a wide range of consequences due to his illegal and unethical actions. He could be given a verbal warning or fined. There is also a possibility that he could get his license suspended. The dentist has an official hearing with the Board of Dentistry set for June 4.

Overprescribing of Medications

This is not an isolated incident. Many dentists overprescribe medications such as opioids and antibiotics at high rates and this can be harmful to patients. It can lead to antibiotic resistance, and these infections can cause disability and even death.

These medications were once deemed safe in small amounts, so dentists prescribed them much more back in the 1990s. But all that has changed. Now, dentists are leaning more toward milder drugs, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen, Motrin, and Advil. If the patient is still in pain, they can then take one over-the-counter Tylenol in between. If the patient is still in pain, then they should call the dentist to explore alternatives.

Keep Your License With Help From a Tampa Dentistry License Lawyer

Dentists have to abide by a code of ethics, just like any other licensed professional. Misuse of prescription drugs is a serious issue, as drug use has become an epidemic. Many people have overdosed from misuse.

Mishandling medications can lead to various penalties, including fines and license suspension. Tampa dentistry license lawyer David P. Rankin can help dentists and other licensed professionals hold onto their licenses. Schedule a consultation today. Fill out the online form or call (813) 968-6633.

Resource:

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