Colorado § 12-220-306 - Dentists may prescribe drugs - surgical operations - anesthesia - limits on prescriptions - rules.

§ 12-220-306. Dentists may prescribe drugs - surgical operations - anesthesia - limits on prescriptions - rules.

(1) (a) A licensed dentist is authorized to:

(I) Prescribe drugs or medicine;

(II) Perform surgical operations;

(III) Administer, pursuant to a permit required by section 12-220-411 and pursuant to board rules, local anesthesia, analgesia including nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation, medication prescribed or administered for the relief of anxiety or apprehension, minimal sedation, moderate sedation, deep sedation, or general anesthesia; and

(IV) Use appliances as necessary to the proper practice of dentistry.

(b) A dentist shall not prescribe, distribute, or give to any person, including themself, any habit-forming drug or any controlled substance, as defined in section 18-18-102 (5) or as contained in schedule II of 21 U.S.C. sec. 812, other than in the course of legitimate dental practice and pursuant to the rules adopted by the board regarding controlled substance record keeping and in compliance with the electronic prescribing of controlled substances as required by section 12-30-111.

(2) A dentist is subject to the limitations on prescriptions specified in section 12-30-109.

(3) A licensed dentist may prescribe orders electronically.

(4) A licensed dentist is strongly encouraged to purchase or utilize an electronic health product that includes integration of a tool that facilitates dentists' compliance with prescription drug monitoring standards.

Source: L. 2020: Entire article amended with relocations, (HB 20-1056), ch. 64, p. 241, § 1, effective September 14. L. 2021: (2) amended, (HB 21-1276), ch. 364, p. 2399, § 9, effective July 1. L. 2025: (1)(a)(III) and (1)(b) amended and (3) and (4) added, (SB 25-194), ch. 171, p. 699, § 11, effective August 6. L. 2026: (4) amended, (SB 26-138), ch. 308, p. 1773, § 15, effective August 12.

Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 12-220-111 as it existed prior to 2020.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in HB 21-1276, see section 1 of chapter 364, Session Laws of Colorado 2021. For the legislative declaration in SB 26-138, see section 1 of chapter 308, Session Laws of Colorado 2026.