Successful completion of this course of study will satisfy satisfactory completion of training to the level of competency in minimal sedation consistent with a course of study which is developed to be consistent with the ADA Guidelines for teaching a comprehensive training program in minimal sedation. This meets educational and professional requirements as defined by the TSBDE for level I Minimal Sedation criteria.

The State Board of Dental Examiners Anesthesia Rules Ad-Hoc Committee was convened to update the agency’s sedation and anesthesia rules based on sedation guidelines adopted by the American Dental Association (ADA) House of Delegates in 2007.

The most significant change in the rules is the new permitting process for the various levels of anesthesia and sedation. The permitting process emphasizes the level of sedation of the patient rather than the route of administration of the medication. The new rules establish five levels of anesthesia and sedation permits beyond the standard dental license: Nitrous Oxide/ Oxygen Inhalation Sedation; Level 1-Minimal Sedation; Level 2-Moderate Sedation (enteral sedation); Level 3-Moderate Sedation (parenteral sedation); and Level 4-Deep Sedation or General Anesthesia.

Most levels of permitting will change in name only. Licensed dentists who lack sedation permits may continue to utilize local anesthetic and prescribe minor tranquilizers for anxiolysis. A licensed dentist who holds an active Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Inhalation Conscious Sedation permit, Parenteral Sedation permit, or Deep Sedation or General Anesthesia permit on or before the effective date of the new rules will have his or her permit automatically reclassified as a Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Inhalation Sedation permit, Level 3 permit, or Level 4 permit respectively, on June 1, 2011.

A licensed dentist who holds an active Enteral Sedation permit on or before the effective date will have his or her permit automatically reclassified as a Level 1 (Minimal Sedation) permit. Dentists in this category may continue to administer Enteral Sedation as permitted by the current rules until January 1, 2013. A dentist who holds an active Enteral Sedation permit on or before June 1, 2011 who desires to administer Level 2 (Moderate-Enteral) sedation after January 1, 2013 must submit an application requesting a Level 2 permit prior to January 1, 2013. A Level 1 permits allows a dentist to use a single medication or a single medication in combination with nitrous oxide to achieve sedation. The sedation provided may only result in a minimally depressed level of consciousness. A Level 2 permit will be required to utilize two or more medications to achieve sedation or to achieve a moderate level sedation.