CDs dentists may prescribe
Which drugs may be prescribed depends on whether the patient is receiving NHS or private treatment.
NHS patients
Only controlled drugs on the Dental Practitioners’ Formulary in the BNF may be prescribed for NHS patients.
Controlled drugs on the Dental Practitioners’ Formulary and so prescribable on form FP10D include:
- temazepam tablets and oral solution (Schedule 3)
- diazepam tablets and 2mg/5mL oral solution (Schedule 4)
- dihydrocodeine tablets 30mg (Schedule 5)
There are currently no Schedule 2 CDs on the Dental Prescribing formulary.
Private patients
The Misuse of Drugs Regulations (MoDR) 2001 defines both doctors and dentists as ‘practitioners’, with the same rights to prescribe all CDs in Schedules 2 to 5. However, General Dental Council (GDC) guidance on prescribing medicines states that dentists must only prescribe medicines to meet the identified dental needs of their patients.
Pharmacists may challenge private dental prescriptions for CDs that are not obviously for dental use.
Prescription forms to use
Prescription forms differ depending on whether the patient is receiving NHS or private treatment.
NHS patients
All NHS dental prescriptions, including all permitted controlled drugs, must be written on form FP10D.
Private patients
Private prescriptions for Schedule 4 and 5 CDs should be written on the same form as private prescriptions for non-CD medicines.
Private prescriptions for Schedules 2 or 3 CDs must be written on a private controlled drug prescription form (FP10PCD) for dispensing in a community pharmacy.
FP10PCD forms must only be used for Schedule 2 or 3 CDs. If the same patient requires other medicines, a separate prescription must be provided for these.
Obtaining FP10PCD forms for private CD prescriptions
FP10PCD forms can be ordered from Primary Care Support England (PCSE) via their online portal. You will need to register before using the portal.
You can also request registration by emailing PCSE directly You must include in your email your:
- name
- practice name and address
- location ID
Before registering with PCSE, you will need a dentist prescriber number, even if you have no NHS contract. This is not the same as either a General Dental Council (GDC) registration number or an NHS Dental Performer number.
For details of how to request a dentist prescriber number, see our article Controlled drugs governance for dental teams (SPS page).
Prescription security
Dentists are responsible for the security of all prescription forms issued to them. The NHS Counter Fraud Authority advises:
- record the serial numbers for blank prescriptions received, and retain the record for at least three years after the prescription form is used
- always lock blank prescription forms in a secure drawer or cupboard when not in use
- store practice stamps securely, and separately to prescription forms
- never pre-sign blank prescriptions
The NHS Counter Fraud Authority has produced aide memoires for prescribers and practice managers.
The CQC provides additional information about the security of blank prescription forms.
Writing prescriptions for CDs
Prescriptions for Schedule 4 and 5 controlled drugs should be written in the same way as for other medicines. The BNF provides guidance.
There are additional requirements for both NHS and private prescriptions for Schedule 2 and 3 CDs. Prescriptions must include:
- patient’s name and address
- name of the drug or preparation
- form of the drug (for example, tablets or oral solution)
- strength of the preparation (for example, 30mg tablets or 2mg/mL oral solution)
- total quantity to supply, in word and figures (for example, 10 [ten] tablets, or 100 [one hundred] mL)
- dose the patient should take (for example, “one when required” is acceptable, but just “when required” is not)
- CD prescriptions written by dentists must state “for dental treatment only”
If the patient needs more than one CD preparation, for example different strengths of tablets, each strength and quantity must be specified.
Private prescriptions must additionally include:
- the dentist’s prescriber number (not the same as a GDC number or NHS performer number)
- the dentist’s professional qualification, for example, BDS
- the dentist’s GDC number
The BNF provides more information, and provides a list of the commonly used drugs within each Schedule.
Pharmacists are not allowed to dispense a CD prescription unless all the required information is present.
Good practice points
In addition to legal requirements, there are further measures that enhance the safety and efficiency of the prescription process.
Patient identity
For NHS prescriptions, include the patient’s NHS number.
Drug name
Write the name of the drug in full, as in the BNF or Summary of Product Characteristics. Do not use abbreviations.
Quantity
There is no legal limit on the quantity or duration of supply for CDs. However, the Department of Health and Social Care advises that prescriptions for Schedule 2, 3, and 4 CDs should be limited to 30 days’ supply.
Prescription verification
It is not a legal requirement that the dentist’s name appear anywhere other than as a signature. However, MoDR 2001 Regulation 16 requires pharmacists to satisfy themselves that a prescription is genuine if they do not recognise the signature. A legible name allows the pharmacist to verify the prescriber’s identity and enter it into their CD register.
Verification may involve the pharmacist speaking with the dentist or checking the GDC register to confirm that the dentist is registered in the UK.
Prescription dispensing and collection from community pharmacies
Not all community pharmacies are registered to dispense private CD prescriptions. Advise patients to check before presenting the prescription.
MoDR 2001 Regulation 16 requires patients or representatives collecting a Schedule 2 CD to present proof of identity if they are unknown to the pharmacist. This applies to NHS and private patients.
Community Pharmacy England states it is best practice for a pharmacy to record the identity of a person collecting a Schedule 2 or 3 CD. There is a space on the back of NHS prescription forms for this, although some pharmacies may record the information electronically.
Duration of validity of CD prescriptions
NHS and private prescriptions for Schedule 2, 3 and 4 CDs are valid for 28 days from the ‘appropriate date’. This is the later of either the date the prescription was written and signed or another date specified by the prescriber.
Prescriptions for Schedule 5 CDs are valid for six months from the ‘appropriate date’, like non-CDs.