(1) The dentist shall consider referring the patient for additional evaluation and treatment as needed to achieve treatment objectives. Special attention should be given to those chronic pain patients who are under eighteen years of age or who are potential high-risk patients. The management of pain in patients with a history of substance abuse or with comorbid psychiatric disorders may require extra care, monitoring, documentation, and consultation with, or referral to, an expert in the management of such patients.

(2) The mandatory consultation threshold is one hundred twenty MED. Unless the consultation is exempted under WAC 246-817-955 or 246-817-960, the dentist who prescribes a dosage amount that meets or exceeds the mandatory consultation threshold shall comply with the pain management specialist consultation requirements described in WAC 246-817-965. The mandatory consultation must consist of at least one of the following:

(a) An office visit with the patient and the pain management specialist;

(b) A consultation between the pain management specialist and the dentist;

(c) An audio-visual evaluation conducted by the pain management specialist remotely, where the patient is present with either the dentist or with a licensed health care practitioner designated by the dentist or the pain management specialist; or

(d) Other chronic pain evaluation services as approved by the dental quality assurance commission.

(3) A dentist shall document each consultation with the pain management specialist. If the pain management specialist provides a written record of the consultation to the dentist, the dentist shall maintain it as part of the patient record.

(4) The dentist shall use great caution when prescribing opioids to children and adolescents with chronic pain, appropriate referral to a specialist is encouraged.