Section 290. Requirements for a conscious/moderate sedation permit

A. After March 31, 2013, no dentist may employ or use conscious/moderate sedation in a dental office unless he has been issued a permit by the board. The requirement for a permit shall not apply to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who maintains membership in the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) and who provides the board with reports that result from the periodic office examinations required by AAOMS. Such an oral and maxillofacial surgeon shall be required to post a certificate issued by AAOMS.

B. Automatic qualification. Dentists who hold a current permit to administer deep sedation and general anesthesia may administer conscious/moderate sedation.

C. To determine eligibility for a conscious/moderate sedation permit, a dentist shall submit the following:

1. A completed application form indicating one of the following permits for which the applicant is qualified:

a. Conscious/moderate sedation by any method;

b. Conscious/moderate sedation by enteral administration only; or

c. Temporary conscious/moderate sedation permit (may be renewed one time);

2. The application fee as specified in 18VAC60-21-40;

3. A copy of a transcript, certification, or other documentation of training content that meets the educational and training qualifications as specified in subsection D of this section, as applicable; and

4. A copy of current certification in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) or pediatric advanced life support (PALS) as required in subsection E of this section.

D. Education requirements for a permit to administer conscious/moderate sedation.

1. Administration by any method. A dentist may be issued a conscious/moderate sedation permit to administer by any method by meeting one of the following criteria:

a. Completion of training for this treatment modality according to the ADA's Guidelines for Teaching the Comprehensive Control of Anxiety and Pain in Dentistry in effect at the time the training occurred, while enrolled in an accredited dental program or while enrolled in a post-doctoral university or teaching hospital program; or

b. Completion of a continuing education course that meets the requirements of 18VAC60-21-250 and consists of (i) 60 hours of didactic instruction plus the management of at least 20 patients per participant, (ii) demonstration of competency and clinical experience in conscious/moderate sedation, and (iii) management of a compromised airway. The course content shall be consistent with the ADA's Guidelines for Teaching the Comprehensive Control of Anxiety and Pain in Dentistry in effect at the time the training occurred.

2. Enteral administration only. A dentist may be issued a conscious/moderate sedation permit to administer only by an enteral method if he has completed a continuing education program that meets the requirements of 18VAC60-21-250 and consists of not less than 18 hours of didactic instruction plus 20 clinically oriented experiences in enteral or a combination of enteral and nitrous oxide/oxygen conscious/moderate sedation techniques. The course content shall be consistent with the ADA's Guidelines for Teaching the Comprehensive Control of Anxiety and Pain in Dentistry in effect at the time the training occurred. The certificate of completion and a detailed description of the course content must be maintained.

3. A dentist who self-certified his qualifications in anesthesia and moderate sedation prior to January 1989 may be issued a temporary conscious/moderate sedation permit to continue to administer only conscious/moderate sedation until May 7, 2015. After May 7, 2015, a dentist shall meet the requirements for and obtain a conscious/moderate sedation permit to administer by any method or by enteral administration only.

E. Additional training required. Dentists who administer conscious/moderate sedation shall:

1. Hold current certification in advanced resuscitation techniques with hands-on simulated airway and megacode training for health care providers, such as ACLS or PALS as evidenced by a certificate of completion posted with the dental license; and

2. Have current training in the use and maintenance of the equipment required in 18VAC60-21-291.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 32, Issue 05, eff. December 2, 2015.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.