BNF & BNFC

Registered dentists are legally entitled to prescribe from the entirety of the British National Formulary (BNF) and BNF for Children (BNFC). However, dental prescribing within the National Health Service (NHS) is restricted to those drugs contained within the List of Dental Preparations in the Dental Practitioners’ Formulary (DPF). Since 2005 the DPF, which was formerly a distinct publication, has been incorporated into the body of the British National Formulary and the BNF for Children. Both the BNF and BNFC are available as print and online editions, with an updated volume of the BNF print edition issued every six months and an updated volume of the BNFC print edition issued yearly. The online editions of both the BNF and BNFC are updated monthly which enables access to the latest prescribing information (available at www.medicinescomplete.com).

The list of drugs that can be prescribed by dentists within the NHS in Scotland includes all drugs in this guidance (see List of Dental Preparations in BNF 88). Although dentists can prescribe additional drugs within the NHS, they have a duty to prescribe only within their competence and to adhere to guidance from their local formulary committees. This guidance aims to facilitate drug prescribing within primary care dental practice by bringing together advice on dental prescribing from the BNF and BNFC and presenting it in a readily accessible, problem-orientated style. The information on drug prescribing contained in this guidance is based on BNF 88 and BNFC 2024-2025, whose advice is constructed from the clinical literature and reflects, as far as possible, an evaluation of the evidence from diverse sources. The drugs recommended in this guidance were identified by the Guidance Development Group as most relevant to primary care dental practice.

This guidance is suitable for informing dental practitioners in the primary care sector, and applies to all patients, including adults, children and those with special needs, who would normally be treated in the primary care sector. The guidance does not include advice on prescribing for those in a secondary care environment or for practitioners with special expertise who may prescribe a wider range of drugs.

Drug regimens with dosages are included but the intention is for this guidance to be used in conjunction with the BNF and BNFC. Consult the most up-to-date BNF (available at www.medicinescomplete.com) before prescribing for adults and be aware that prescribing for some patient groups, including the elderly, patients who are immunocompromised or with hepatic or renal problems, patients who are pregnant and nursing mothers, might differ. Consult the most up-to-date BNFC (available at www.medicinescomplete.com) before prescribing for children.