A dentist is not required to consult with a pain management specialist as described in WAC
246-817-965 when the dentist has documented adherence to all standards of practice as defined in WAC
246-817-919 through
246-817-967 and when one or more of the following conditions are met:
(1) The patient is following a tapering schedule;
(2) The patient requires treatment for acute pain, which may or may not include hospitalization, requiring a temporary escalation in opioid dosage with expected return to their baseline dosage level or below;
(3) The dentist documents reasonable attempts to obtain a consultation with a pain management specialist and the circumstances justifying prescribing above one hundred twenty milligrams MED per day without first obtaining a consultation; or
(4) The dentist documents the patient's pain and function is stable and the patient is on a nonescalating dosage of opioids.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.32.002,
18.32.0365,
18.32.800 and 2017 c 297. WSR 19-02-043, § 246-817-955, filed 12/26/18, effective 1/26/19. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.32.785 and
18.32.0365. WSR 11-10-061, § 246-817-955, filed 5/2/11, effective 7/1/11.]