June 22, 2015
Colorado dentists can do their part to help combat and prevent prescription drug abuse by increasing awareness of the issue. The Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, the organization behind the recently launched Take Meds Seriously campaign, has developed an informational rack card and other resources dentists can use to spread the word to their patients. The card features tips on safe use, safe storage, and safe disposal of prescription medications. Dentists can download the card from the Take Meds Seriously Website, brand the card with their practice name or logo, and print the card for distribution to their patients.
The Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Program, a statewide initiative funded through the Colorado Office of Behavioral Health and managed by Peer Assistance Services Inc., was actively involved in the work group that created the Take Meds Seriously campaign. Click here to learn more about Peer Assistance Services Inc.
Another way dentists help prevent prescription drug abuse is through the state’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). The 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. All dentists with a Drug Enforcement Agency registration were required to register with the PDMP by Oct. 31, 2014. In late March 2015, the Colorado Dental Board began imposing fines, starting at $1,250, for dentists who failed to complete the PDMP registration. Click here to learn more about the PDMP and find out how to register.
