This bill amends the rulemaking authority of the board of dental examiners regarding the administration of general anesthesia, deep sedation, and moderate sedation in dental treatments. Notably, it allows dentists to administer moderate sedation to patients under the age of 13 without the requirement of a second anesthesia provider, provided they meet specific training and qualification standards. The bill introduces new legal language that emphasizes adherence to national educational standards established by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and guidelines from the American Dental Association (ADA) for the issuance of permits and qualifications for dental facilities and practitioners.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing requirements by mandating that dentists administering moderate sedation must be trained in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and airway management, and it requires informed consent to include information about the possibility of performing the procedure in a hospital setting with additional anesthesia personnel. The language also specifies that the board shall exempt dentists from the second anesthesia provider requirement if they are board-eligible or board-certified in dental anesthesiology or oral and maxillofacial surgery, with any limitations on this exemption needing to align with national professional standards and not adversely affect public access to care. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 317-A:12