Under which condition must a dentist offer a prescription for naloxone?

A dentist must offer a prescription for naloxone when the patient is prescribed an opioid dosage of 90 or more morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per day. This practice is aligned with guidelines that recognize the increased risk of overdose associated with higher opioid dosages. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that can quickly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, making it a critical safety measure in such circumstances.

This requirement aims to enhance patient safety and combat the rising incidence of opioid-related overdoses. It reflects a proactive approach to opioid prescribing, emphasizing the importance of not only managing pain effectively but also addressing the potential risks of opioid therapy.

In contrast, factors such as a patient being over 65 years old, having a regular prescription, or the opioid being prescribed for less than 3 days do not directly trigger the necessity for naloxone prescriptions according to the guidelines, as the risk factors associated with overdose primarily correlate with higher dosages rather than these other circumstances.