This information on this page is our policy on the prescribing of sedation for dental procedures

If a dentist wishes to a patient to have sedating medications before a dental procedure (eg for an anxious patients) then it is that dentist who is to be responsible for issuing the prescription. The dental practitioner’s formulary (which is the list of drugs a dentist can prescribe) is found on the BNF dental practitioners formulary, and includes Diazepam in both Tablets and Oral Solution form.

If the dentist is treating a patient within their practice NHS contract, then the prescription should be on a FP14D form. Dentists do not have EPS.

If the dentist is treating a patient privately, they should issue a private prescription.

Dentists may contact a GP for information or advice, if, for example the patient has a complex medical history. However dentists may not direct patients to GPs with a request for prescribing sedating medications, such as diazepam.

 This clinical guidance has previously been published by the Kent Local Medical Committee.

Sept 2024