Re: Have you run into this with a dentist

haddon9 · ‎03-09-2010

I still go to an old school dentist. I've been going to him for over 30 years. He has kept his practice small and corporation free.....so far and I hope he continues to do so.

Years ago I needed some pain meds from him and was able to get them. I know that I have a problem tooth and will be getting an extraction within the year. I dread it!

AuntMame · ‎10-16-2010

Maybe it's a regulation that's specific to your state @smoochy ? Perhaps the dentist needs a specific type of dental license to prescribe certain pain killers in your state? Dental licenses are issued by the state.

Years ago there was a dentist who was arrested in my city for selling prescriptions to painkillers. Some state dental licensing boards have tried to clamp down on that sort of thing.

Laura14 · ‎06-09-2014

You have to be registered with the DEA which is a federal agency that regulates controlled substances like opioids and most of the narcotics people think of. It requires a lot of paperwork and special regulations to follow not to mention the current liability risk with the succesful lawsuits against the dispensers and prescribers.

Dentists also can only presrcibe within their scope of practice meaning they do not have the ability to prescribe your arthritis medication or migrane pills and what they prescribe better be within that scope or they risk losing their license.

Probably a combination of lack of DEA licensure, liability risk, and a protection on their licenses to stay within their scope and protect themselves and their practice.

qualitygal · ‎10-04-2010

My dentist has prescribed for me. Maybe to prevent infection but it also relieved pain.

DJs mom · ‎06-06-2012

@lgfan wrote:
@shoekitty wrote:
Rules and regulations are different each state. Here in California. Narcotic Pain drugs are hard to get. Especially, oxy, norco and such. You need to meet requirements. most dentists I have seen I personally have never needed any pain killers. I am allergic to all NSAIDS so it makes it hard. My friends and family have gotten narcotics from Dentists.maybe Smoochy misunderstood They do try high dose, like 800 mg Motrin in some cases, not narcotics first.
here in California some Primary drs can give long term , maintanence pain killers. Others they send to Pain Management drs. You should not have to suffer with dental pain. Glad your other doctor was able to help

Even if you get a prescription for vicodin or oxy the pharmacy will give you a generic substitute. Many years ago I had a surgery and was prescribed vicodin when I went to the pharmacy I was given 800 mg of ibuprofin pills.

@lgfan ibuprofen is not a substitute for Vicodin. Vicodin is a narcotic (opioid).

DJs mom · ‎06-06-2012

A general practitioner dentist is not the same as an oral surgeon. Also there is a big difference in prescribing ibuprofen and prescribing narcotics. Not all medical professionals can prescribe narcotics.

CalminHeart · ‎03-09-2010

There are a lot more nerve endings in the front teeth than the others so that's why it hurt so much.

I had novacaine near the front of my teeth a month ago and about jumped out of my chair. The oral surgeon said it's because there are so many more nerve ending in front.

I had a tumor on the inside of my gums and had it removed a month ago. Because the tumor ate the bone and roots of 2 teeth (on the side), they also had to pulled. Luckily, it was benign.

My oral surgeon told me to wait 3 months to get a bridge. Could it be that adding a bridge right after the tooth was pulled caused some pain too?

CalminHeart · ‎03-09-2010

I know a lot of dentists. They are not licensed to prescribe narcotics and pain medicine.

Stray · ‎04-20-2013

It might be the difference between a dentist & oral surgeon. I had two implants & he gave me an rx for extra strength ibf & two in his office before the extractions. By relieving inflammation, the pain is less. I didn’t need to take any for pain. In the past, I’ve received an rx for Percocet post root canal but that was many years ago.