Advice for GPs for requests to prescribe sedative prior to dental procedures

Dentists should not direct patients to GPs requesting they prescribes sedating medications, such as diazepam.

If a dentist wishes to prescribe sedating medications for anxious patients that dentist should be responsible for issuing the prescription. The dental practitioner’s formulary, which is the list of drugs a dentist can prescribe is found on the BNF dental practitioners formulary, includes Diazepam Tablets and Oral Solution.

If the dentist is treating a patient within their practice NHS contract, then the prescription should be on a FP14D form. Dentists do not have EPS.

If the dentist is treating a patient privately, they should issue a private prescription.

Dentists can access a patient’s summary care record via the DERs/Rego electronic referral system for NHS England South East dental referrals.

Dentists may contact a GP for information or advice, if, for example the patient has a complex medical history.

Message for GP practice websites:

Prescription requests from dentists requesting sedation
GPs should not be contacted regarding sedation requests prior to seeing a dentist your dentist should be prescribing for you if they think it is needed.