What to do when your patient smells of cannabis, but denies its use
We are continuing our coverage of dental professionals are human too, as we talk about ethical dilemmas and how to avoid mistakes.
Here’s a scenario: what do you do when your patient says they don’t use cannabis, but they reek of it? First, consider that they may live with someone who uses cannabis but don’t use it themselves. Or they may have been driving with someone who used cannabis.
You can’t rely on smell alone; you must ask about it and then document the patient’s response in the medical chart. Patient denies use of cannabis, but I have a strong suspicion that they do. Then, to be on the safe side, treatment plan as if they do use cannabis.
Can a patient who has been using cannabis sign an informed consent?
Join us in this episode of Medical History Mysteries as we answer these questions and talk about how important it is to come up with an office policy and a team plan to deal with these types of situations.
Thumbnail image credits 24K-Production / iStock / Getty Images Plus
More Medical History Mysteries videos …
- You gave a patient in recovery an alcohol-based mouth rinse. What now?
- When patients contradict what they documented in their medical history
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Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Clinical Insights newsletter, a publication of the Endeavor Business Media Dental Group. Read more articles and subscribe.
