- Suitably trained dental hygienists or therapists can now administer, sell or supply certain prescription-only medicines (POMs) without a dentist's prescription or a patient group direction (PGD).
- The changes do not give any prescribing powers to hygienists or therapists, or amend the POM status of the listed medicines.
From 26 June 2024, an amendment to the Human Medicines Regulations made it possible for dental hygienists and therapists to supply and administer certain prescription-only medicines (POMs) under exemptions, without the need for a prescription from a dentist or a patient group direction (PGD).
However, those wishing to do so must be trained and competent, and should undertake any education and training identified as being necessary before working in this way.
What has changed?
The changes do not give any prescribing powers to hygienists or therapists, or amend the POM status of the listed medicines. The amendments simply provide an exemption from the need for a prescription in certain circumstances.
A range of local anaesthetic and high strength fluoride preparations are included on the list of exemptions, which will appear under Schedule 17 of the Regulations.
Before this change, a dental hygienist or therapist could only administer POMs - such as local anaesthetic or high concentration fluoride - under a patient specific direction (PSD) from a dentist, or under a valid patient group direction (PGD).
From 26 June 2024, a suitably trained dental hygienist or therapist can now:
- administer certain POMs without the need for a PSD or PGD
- sell or supply certain POMs direct to patients (ie, to take away with them), without the need for a PSD or PGD.
The changes apply to registered dental hygienists and dental therapists in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
What hasn't changed?
Dental hygienists and therapists still cannot prescribe. They cannot fill out an NHS prescription form or write a private prescription. Dentists remain the only member of the dental team who can independently prescribe.
By way of an example, a suitably trained dental hygienist or therapist can now supply a patient with high concentration fluoride toothpaste to take home, but they cannot write a prescription for it to be supplied by a pharmacy.
What training do hygienists and therapists need?
The GDC expects any registrant to work within their scope, and be trained, competent, and indemnified for the work they undertake. In a news release about these changes, the GDC said:
- "We expect all dental hygienists and dental therapists to be able to demonstrate successful completion of a training course. This is crucial to ensure they have the required knowledge and skills to be able to work safely under this new mechanism."
The GDC also references courses that were in development at the time the changes came into force. Each of the four nations are expected to provide further detail on how to access training in due course.
The DDU's advice
Hygienists and therapists should satisfy themselves that they have completed appropriate training and can evidence their competence before working under the new exemptions.
Before implementing any changes to working practices, dental practice owners should also satisfy themselves that the hygienists and therapists they engage are trained and competent to work under these exemptions.
This page was correct at publication on 01/07/2024. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.