"The dental class cannot be afraid to prescribe cannabis," says lawyer

Debating the relevance of integrativity in dental treatment with cannabinoids and its legal certainty. That was the proposal of the opening session of the last day (25) of the Brazilian Medicinal Cannabis Congress. During the Odonto Cannabis module lecture, Sidney Rafael das Neves, Cynthia de Carlo, and Marcela Sanches explained how to unite the patient with health care. The session moderation was led by dentist Carina Cukierman.

According to Cynthia, a member of the Brazilian Society for Cannabis Studies (SBEC) and the Center of Excellence in Cannabinoids (CECMEDIC), the mouth functions as a stabilizer of the entire human body. "Integrative dentistry works on body, soul, and mind as one. And integrativity starts with our mouth. Cannabinoid therapy improves quality of life, acting on pain, anxiety, insomnia, headache, periodontal inflammations, among others".

The dentist also pointed out the role of cannabis as an adjuvant at the beginning of treatment. "All patients come already on multiple medications. After contact with cannabis, the weaning off of other products begins," emphasizes the dentist.    

Aligned with his colleague's thinking, Sidney, 2nd vice president of the São Paulo Association of Dentists (APCD), emphasized the importance of comprehensive care during treatment. "The dentist's mission is to treat the patient in the best possible way. I feel that my work is incomplete if I cannot address the emotional symptoms of people".

After a question from the audience, mediator Carina highlighted information as an ally of cannabis. "The key to the whole process is the doctors and dentists, we need to reform the education of prescribers. Unfortunately, there is still prejudice and insecurity regarding the issue".

Legal Certainty

In 2023, Anvisa issued approximately 136,000 (95.6%) authorizations for cannabis-derived products, through RDC 660/2022. Of these, 6,119 (4.4%) were issued by dental prescriptions. These data on import authorization sparked lawyer Marcela's speech. In addition to this information, the member of the Medicinal Cannabis Sector Law Commission (OAB/RJ) also addressed ordinance 344/1988, recognizing dentists, doctors, and veterinarians as cannabis prescribers and RDC 327/2019.

Furthermore, Marcela reassured the dentists present, stating that "the class does not need to be afraid to prescribe cannabis," throughout her career, the lawyer has not had access to any cases of professionals being prosecuted for prescribing cannabis.  

For congresswoman Ana Carolina, a dentist and owner of the Instagram @dra.anacannabis, events like the BMCC bring security to cannabis prescribing doctors. "I have the security of the office, the contact with patients, but this event brings different possibilities. I am having the opportunity to listen to renowned professionals in the field, who conduct studies on cannabis".

The Odonto Cannabis module, present in the 3rd edition of the BMCC, aims to present an overview of dental diseases treatable with cannabis. It also promotes the discussion of clinical cases, facilitating safe diagnosis and prescription aligned with dental regulations.