PDFWAC 246-817-907

Patient notification, secure storage, and disposal.

(1) The dentist shall provide information to the patient educating them of risks associated with the use of opioids. The dentist shall document such notification in the patient record.
(2) Patient notification must occur, at a minimum, at the following points of treatment:
(a) The first issuance of a prescription for an opioid; and
(b) The transition between phase of treatment, as follows:
(i) Acute nonoperative pain or acute perioperative pain to subacute pain; and
(ii) Subacute pain to chronic pain.
(3) Patient notification must include information regarding:
(a) The safe and secure storage of opioid prescriptions; and
(b) The proper disposal of unused opioid medication including, but not limited to, the availability of recognized drug take-back programs.
(4) This requirement may be satisfied with a document provided by the department of health.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.32.002, 18.32.0365, 18.32.800 and 2017 c 297. WSR 19-02-043, § 246-817-907, filed 12/26/18, effective 1/26/19.]