Principles for dentist-pharmacist relationships: guidelines developed in Connecticut.

The "Guiding principles for dentist-pharmacist relationships in Connecticut" was prepared under the auspices of the Connecticut Joint Dental-Pharmaceutical Committee of the Connecticut State Dental Association and the Connecticut Pharmaceutical Association. The committee is made up of six dentists and six pharmacists who represent their respective state associations. The committee provides a forum in which practicing, academic licensing, and supervisory representatives of both professions meet voluntarily to discuss scientific objects of mutual interest, make pertinent recommendations on matters of professional and public concern and, on request, attempt to resolve occasional differences that arise between responsible pharmacists and dentists. The "Guide" was prepared because of the significant increase in prescription writing by practicing dentists in Connecticut. Further, with the increased involvement of third party programs, the committee thought that the relationship between dentists and pharmacists should be formalized to establish that prescription writing is a significant part of dental practice. The "Guide" was approved by the executive committee of the Connecticut Pharmaceutical Association in January 1975 and the house of delegates of the Connecticut State Dental Association in May 1975.