Colorado’s electronic Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) is a secure online database that provides objective information about patients’ controlled substance prescription records to assist Colorado healthcare providers in offering appropriate treatment to their patients. The PDMP was enacted into law in 2005, in part, to reduce prescription drug abuse.
All providers – including dentists – who maintain an active DEA registration are required to register with the PDMP. There is no exception from PDMP registration, even for dentists who do not prescribe opioids. If you maintain a DEA license, you must complete the registration. In addition, dentists are required to check the PDMP prior to issuing a second or subsequent script (i.e. refill) for opioids to a patient. The Colorado Dental Board has a significant fine that may be imposed on dentists who fail to complete the PDMP registration, and discipline for unprofessional conduct may be imposed for failure to check the PDMP before issuing a repeat opioid script for a patient.
There are approximately 4,500 active dental licenses in Colorado and, as of June 2019, about 1,000 (20%) dentists with a DEA license did not yet have a PDMP account. In addition, nearly 1,500 dentists (30%) who have a PDMP account have not logged on for more than two years, at which time a new requirement to enter a specialty designation was implemented.
The Colorado Dental Board can view all opioid prescription activity by provider, including repeat prescription information. The dental board is observing significant noncompliance with PDMP and appears to be taking educational steps before beginning to enforce PDMP registration and check requirements.
Please make sure you are complying with the new rules. Registering to use the PDMP tool is free. You can register at https://www.colorado.gov/dora-pdmp using your dental license number and other key pieces of identifying information. For questions about the PDMP registration process, contact the PDMP helpdesk at 855-263-6403.