(a) A dentist shall possess either a current license in good standing and a general anesthesia permit issued by the board or a permit under Section 1638 or 1640 and a general anesthesia permit issued by the board in order to administer or order the administration of deep sedation or general anesthesia on an outpatient basis for dental patients.

(b) A dentist shall possess a pediatric endorsement of their general anesthesia permit to administer or order the administration of deep sedation or general anesthesia to patients under seven years of age.

Terms Used In California Business and Professions Code 1646.1

  • board: means any entity listed in Section 101, the entities referred to in Sections 1000 and 3600, the State Bar, the Department of Real Estate, and any other state agency that issues a license, certificate, or registration authorizing a person to engage in a business or profession. See California Business and Professions Code 31
  • Deep sedation: means a drug-induced depression of consciousness during which patients cannot be easily aroused but respond purposefully following repeated or painful stimulation. See California Business and Professions Code 1646
  • General anesthesia: means a drug-induced loss of consciousness during which patients are not arousable, even by painful stimulation. See California Business and Professions Code 1646
  • license: means license, certificate, registration, or other means to engage in a business or profession regulated by this code or referred to in Section 1000 or 3600. See California Business and Professions Code 23.7

(c) A dentist shall be physically within the dental office at the time of ordering, and during the administration of, general anesthesia or deep sedation.

(d) For patients under 13 years of age, all of the following shall apply:

(1) The operating dentist and at least two additional personnel shall be present throughout the procedure involving deep sedation or general anesthesia.

(2) If the operating dentist is the permitted anesthesia provider, then both of the following shall apply:

(A) The operating dentist and at least one of the additional personnel shall maintain current certification in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) or other board-approved training in pediatric life support and airway management, adopted pursuant to Section 1601.8. The additional personnel who is certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and airway management or other board-approved training in pediatric life support and airway management shall be solely dedicated to monitoring the patient and shall be trained to read and respond to monitoring equipment including, but not limited to, pulse oximeter, cardiac monitor, blood pressure, pulse, capnograph, and respiration monitoring devices.

(B) The operating dentist shall be responsible for initiating and administering any necessary emergency response.

(3) If a dedicated permitted anesthesia provider is monitoring the patient and administering deep sedation or general anesthesia, both of the following shall apply:

(A) The anesthesia provider and the operating dentist, or one other trained personnel, shall be present throughout the procedure and shall maintain current certification in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and airway management or other board-approved training in pediatric life support and airway management, adopted pursuant to Section 1601.8.

(B) The anesthesia provider shall be responsible for initiating and administering any necessary emergency response and the operating dentist, or other trained and designated personnel, shall assist the anesthesia provider in emergency response.

(e) This article does not apply to the administration of local anesthesia, minimal sedation, or moderate sedation.

(Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 929, Sec. 4. (SB 501) Effective January 1, 2019. Operative January 1, 2022, pursuant to Section 1646.13)