Tell the Team Before the Appointment Starts
Cannabis use can matter for dental medicines, anesthesia and consent. Share what you use and get instructions before a planned procedure.
Give the useful details
Tell the dental team about cannabis use, including prescribed products, the form used and when you last used it. The ODA notes that cannabis can affect anesthesia and medicines used during dental procedures. It belongs in the health history.[1]
Ask for instructions before the appointment, especially if sedation is involved. Do not choose cannabis as your own pre-appointment anxiety medicine. A general rule found online cannot account for the product, dose, planned treatment and other medicines.
Call if you are impaired
If you have used cannabis and feel impaired, contact the office before travelling; do not drive. The team needs to assess whether care and informed decision-making can proceed safely. Be direct about what happened rather than trying to hide it once seated.
For ongoing use, discuss dry mouth and your usual snacks or drinks as part of cavity prevention. The ODA includes these oral-health concerns in its guidance. If the product is prescribed, coordinate any changes with the prescriber rather than stopping it independently.[1]