How does the Board define “deep sedation?”
The term “deep sedation” is defined to mean the administration of pharmacological and/or nonpharmacological agents, or a combination of the two, to induce a state of depressed consciousness in a patient, which is accompanied by a partial loss of protective reflexes, including the inability of the patient to continually maintain an airway independently and/or to respond purposefully to painful physical stimulation or verbal command. The new rules prohibit a dentist from administering, dispensing or prescribing any pharmacological agent which will cause a patient to lapse into this type of sedation unless the dentist possesses a G.A. permit issued by the Board. The Board believes that the risks associated with this type of sedation are such that only those dentists who are properly trained in the administration of general anesthesia, and have satisfied the requirements necessary to obtain a G.A. permit, should be authorized to employ it in their dental practices.
