DO I NEED ANESTHESIA TRAINING TO BELONG TO NJDSA?

No. Membership is open to any New Jersey dentist who is interested in sedation and anesthesia in dentistry.

 

CAN I ATTEND NJDSA COURSES IF I DON’T HAVE AN ANESTHESIA PERMIT?

Yes. Courses are open to any New Jersey licensed dentist, whether or not he possesses a sedation or general anesthesia permit.

 

DO I NEED A PERMIT TO ADMINISTER DEEP SEDATION OR SLEEP DENTISTRY TO MY DENTAL PATIENTS?

“Deep Sedation” means an induced state of depressed consciousness accompanied by partial loss of protective reflexes, including the inability to continually maintain an airway independently and/or to respond purposefully to physical stimulation or verbal command, which is produced by pharmacological or non-pharmacological agents or a combination thereof.

 

“Sleep Dentistry” any dentist who uses or advertises the terms “sleep”, “sleep dentistry,” “sleeplike-state”, or any similar words or combinations thereof, as defined by the New Jersey Board of Dentistry shall be considered to be inducing deep sedation.

 

No dentist shall administer, dispense or prescribe any pharmacological agent which shall cause a patient to lapse into deep sedation unless the dentist possesses a general anesthesia permit issued by the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry.

 

DO I NEED A PERMIT OR SPECIAL TRAINING TO GIVE ORAL SEDATION (ENTERAL SEDATION) TO MY DENTAL PATIENTS?

“Anxiolysis” means the diminution or elimination of anxiety “Enteral” means any method for the introduction of pharmacological agents, including oral, sublingual, rectal or any other method which relies upon absorption through the gastrointestinal tract or oral mucosa and introduction through the nasal passages or any other mucous membrane.

 

“Enteral sedation with single or multiple pharmacological agents” means administering, dispensing or prescribing of one or more pharmacological agents to be used concurrently or sequentially for the purposes of causing anxiolysis and a depressed level of consciousness.

 

No dentist shall administer, dispense or prescribe enteral sedation with single or multiple pharmacological agents without a New Jersey State Board of Dentistry permit to administer or prescribe “enteral sedation”. A dentist who holds a general anesthesia permit or a current parenteral conscious sedation permit shall be authorized to use enteral sedation and shall not be required to apply for an enteral sedation permit.

Please review the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry regulations, regarding the educational requirements needed for such permit.

 

DO I NEED SPECIAL EQUIPMENT OR DRUGS IF I AM ADMINISTERING ENTERAL SEDATION?

Yes. The permit holder must possess basic equipment and supplies to deal with emergency situations.

The facility must contain the following readily accessible and properly operating equipment:

• suction equipment capable of aspirating gastric contents from the mouth and pharynx

• portable oxygen delivery system including full face mask and a bag valve-mask combination with appropriate connectors capable of delivering positive pressure and oxygen-enriched patient ventilation

• pulse oximeter or equivalent device

• emergency drug kit

• emergency backup lighting, suction and a pulse oximeter or equivalent device

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DO I NEED A PERMIT TO GIVE GENERAL ANESTHESIA IN MY OFFICE TO DENTAL PATIENTS?

General anesthesia consists of the deliberate use of any drug, combination of drugs, element or other material with the specified intent to induce a loss of sensation and consciousness.

No dentist shall employ or use general anesthesia on an outpatient basis for dental patients unless such dentist possesses a permit or authorization by the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry.

 

MUST I HAVE AN OFFICE INSPECTION TO PERFORM GENERAL ANESTHESIA?

The dental facility of any permit holder shall be inspected and approved by the State Board of Dentistry or its designee, once every six years.

The applicant for a general anesthesia permit must certify that they possess basic equipment and supplies to deal with emergency situations, and such supplies and equipment are readily accessible and in good order. This shall consist of no less than the list that shall be supplied by the State Board of Dentistry.

 

I AM AN ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEON. DO I STILL NEED TO COMPLETE ANOTHER OFFICE EVALUATION FOR AAOMS MEMBERSHIP?

The office evaluation for AAOMS can be performed at that same time as the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry’s evaluation, but requires a slightly more detailed facility evaluation as well as performing simulated clinical emergencies with the practitioner and staff. Membership for AAOMS also requires a current ACLS certification.

 

I DON’T HAVE A GENERAL ANESTHESIA OR PARENTERAL CONSCIOUS SEDATION PERMIT. CAN I BRING SOMEONE INTO MY OFFICE TO GIVE ANESTHESIA?

A dentist can utilize the services of a PCS permit holder a general anesthesia permit holder or an M.D. or D.O. who is a member of the anesthesiology staff of an accredited hospital or who is authorized to perform anesthesia services by the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners. A dentist shall not be deemed to be practicing PCS or general anesthesia provided that the PCS or general anesthesia permit holder or M.D or D.O. remains present and bears full responsibility during the entire procedure and until the patient regains consciousness, has recovered fully and has been discharged. Any PCS or general anesthesia permit holder invited by a dentist to provide parenteral conscious sedation or general anesthesia services shall bear full responsibility for compliance to the rules and regulations of the State Board of Dentistry, including but not limited to, the minimum requirements for equipment and assisting staff. Please check with the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry’s regulations.

 

CAN I GIVE ANESTHESIA TO A PATIENT OF ANOTHER DOCTOR IN MY OFFICE?

Yes, but the patient then also becomes a patient of record of the doctor administering the anesthesia, and all the requirements and responsibilities that implies then ensue. For example, the doctor administering the anesthesia is responsible for reviewing the patients’ medical history, interviewing the patient, obtaining informed consent, ensuring the patient is an appropriate candidate for anesthesia, administering the anesthesia, continuously monitoring the patient, discharging the patient, etc.