Many patients that clinics serve may not have the financial resources to purchase needed medications from commercial pharmacies or may need them immediately after their treatment. Failure to obtain and properly use medications can compromise the success of procedures and the patient’s health. Clinic administrators will need to decide whether the clinic will stock and maintain a formulary of medications.

If the clinic does chose to maintain a formulary, special consideration must be given to stocking and dispensing narcotic analgesics and other controlled substances. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency enforces federal laws, rules, and guidelines covering the purchasing, stocking, prescribing, and dispensing of controlled substances. Failure to follow these rules and regulations can lead to civil and criminal prosecution. Additionally, the presence of such drugs in the clinic can increase security concerns.

Following is a list of items that clinics may wish to stock in a formulary:

• Acetaminophen in both adult and child formulations and dosages
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic (e.g., ibuprofen in both adult and child formulations and dosages)
• Penicillin VK in both adult and child dosages and formulations
• Amoxicillin in adult and child formulations and dosages
• Clindamycin in adult and child formulations
• Chlorhexidine mouthrinse
• Prescription fluoride gel
• Doxycycline
  
• Over-the-counter products (e.g., denture adhesives, fluoride toothpaste, topical analgesics, denture cleaners)
• Dental anesthetics (lidocaine, mepivocaine, bupivocaine, septocaine, prilocaine)

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