The ADA News (10/4, Garvin) reports that on Oct. 3 the Senate “overwhelmingly passed bipartisan legislation aimed at ending the nation’s opioid crisis.” The House passed HR 6, the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act, on Sept. 28. The article reports that “key provisions of the bill include authorizing additional funding for medical professional continuing education and improving the quality and interoperability of state prescription drug monitoring programs.” 

Clark County dentists can query the Washington Prescription Monitoring Program before writing prescriptions for opioids to reduce risks for patients and to identify the occasional drug seeker who is a danger to themselves and others.