In modern dental practice, patient care does not end with the conclusion of the clinical visit. Dental care is an ongoing process that extends beyond the office visit through proper, individualized treatment plans based on scientific evidence.

Prescribing is not an administrative act, but a direct extension of the diagnosis, the treatment plan, and professional responsibility.

The dental prescription as an extension of the clinical procedure and its value.

Studies and guidelines on oral health prevention and treatment show that the random selection of oral hygiene products—whether chosen by the patient or based on advice from unqualified sources—compromises the predictability of clinical outcomes.

Toothpastes and topical agents are not interchangeable. They vary in composition, concentration of active ingredients, abrasiveness, pH, the presence or absence of irritating surfactants, and their actual ability to produce a therapeutic or preventive effect.

A sample is not a treatment.

Providing a sample can be useful as an educational or familiarization strategy, but it does not replace a formal prescription. The sample alone does not guarantee continuity, adherence, or safety.

Without clear guidance on duration of use, frequency, clinical indication, and therapeutic goal, patients tend to switch to a similar product, which is often unsuitable for their risk profile.

The literature clearly shows that the efficacy of topical agents depends not only on the formulation, but also on their correct use, for the appropriate duration, and in the appropriate clinical setting.

A dental prescription formalizes this process, reduces ambiguity, and safeguards treatment from decisions based on marketing, convenience, or cost alone.

Professional authority, adherence, and predictability

When a dentist makes an explicit recommendation, they assume the role of a technical and clinical authority. The patient understands that this choice is not arbitrary, but is based on scientific criteria, an individual assessment, and the expected outcome.

This improves adherence, reduces inappropriate substitutions, and makes the outcomes of the consultation more predictable.

The prescription also allows for proper guidance of the patient regarding possible temporary side effects, such as changes in taste or extrinsic pigmentation, thereby preventing premature discontinuation of the treatment regimen due to a lack of information.

Prescribing is caring

Prescribing means providing care beyond the dental office. It means ensuring that the treatment plan started in the dental chair is consistently followed at home. It means making prevention and maintenance an active part of the treatment, rather than a responsibility left to chance.

Author: Prof. Dr. Eduardo Fregnani
Dental Surgeon
Professor and Researcher
São Paulo – Brazil