Sedation and/or General Anesthesia Inspection Program

The College inspects offices and reviews patient records regularly to ensure that every office and dentist that administers sedation and/or general anesthesia complies with the College's Standard of Practice for the Use of Sedation and General Anesthesia in Dental Practice.

The Standard:

• Sets the training and qualifications for dentists who wish to administer sedation and/or general anesthesia in dental practice.
• Outlines the sedation equipment and emergency drugs required for this purpose.
• Governs the levels of sedation based on the type of permit issued and through inspections.

The purpose of the inspection program is to ensure:

• Sedation equipment is present and has been properly maintained.
• Emergency drugs are present and have not expired.
• The sedation team has up-to-date CPR certification.
• The dental office has adequate access for emergency stretchers.

Every office providing sedation and/or general anesthesia services must have a permit issued by the College.

Every dentist who administers sedation must be authorized by the College. Sedation authorizations are broken down into the following modalities:  

1. Minimal Sedation (nitrous oxide and oxygen or oral administration of single sedative)
2. Oral Moderate Sedation
3. Parenteral Moderate Sedation
4. Deep Sedation and/or General Anesthesia.

All permits and authorizations must be renewed annually, and dental offices with permits are re-inspected every three (3) years.