Sharps Injury Policy
Last updated 14.03.2023
Introduction
Dental prescription is an integral part of dental treatment where it is paramount to understanding of patient’s medical history and current medication in order to prescribe safely.
Each dentist has an obligation to prescribe responsibly in the patient’s best interest in accordance with principles set out in ‘standards for dental professionals’. The following describes the prescription policy which must always be followed. If there is an aspect which is not clear, please consult BNF or patient’s general medical practitioner or alternative general dental practitioner.
The prescription of drugs especially antibiotics for oral conditions presents inherent risks like:
- Antibiotic resistance
- Antibiotic prescribing is associated with healthcare acquired infections
- Risk of allergic reactions
- Serious drug interactions
Therefore, inappropriate use of antimicrobials is unwarranted clinical situations, wrong choice of antimicrobials and incorrect dosage and duration should be avoided.
Indications For Antibiotic Prescriptions
- As an adjunct to the management of acute and chronic infections
- For definitive management of active infectious diseases
Prescription Writing
- Check that the patient is not allergic to the medication
- Check whether the patient is taking any other medication that may interfere with what you are about to prescribe. Note that the patient may be on the oral contraceptive pill and should be advised to take other precautions as the antibiotics may upset the gastrointestinal absorption of the pill
- Check that the patient is not pregnant
- Check that the patient is not asthmatic or if she has any gastrointestinal bleeding which would contraindicate ibuprofen
- Advise the patient not to drink alcohol with metronidazole
- Must be written legibly in ink
- Must be dated
- Must have the patient’s full name and address
- Should have the age of the patient and give their date of birth
- Must be signed in ink by the prescriber
- Should have the names of the drugs written out in full
- Should have the quantity to be supplied stated, by indicating the number of days the treatment is required for
- Medicines should only be prescribed when essential
- Consider benefits vs risks
- Checking and updating drug history regularly would allow checking for any possible drug interactions
- Be cautious about the dosage of medication when prescribing to children
Review
This policy and the policies referred to within it, will be reviewed at regular intervals to ensure its currency and amended as required by changes within the practice and legal professional requirements.
Approved by: Cassandra Pantazi, Jakobus Krynauw
Date published: 25/10/2021