Patient Safety Commons^™

Dentistry And The Law: Dealing With Patients Who Have Been Using Marijuana, Dan Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

When dealing with patients who emit a strong marijuana odor, it's crucial to focus on their capacity to provide informed consent and the ability to deliver treatment up to the standard of care. Judging their level of intoxication solely by appearance and smell can be unreliable, so it's best to avoid making such judgments. Instead, inform patients that you may refuse treatment if their odor or other factors hinder your ability to provide care. To prevent last-minute issues, communicate this policy in advance, particularly to patients with a history of marijuana odor. Dismissing such patients from your practice may also …