(a) A dentist may administer or order the administration of moderate sedation on an outpatient basis for a dental patient if one of the following conditions is met:

(1) The dentist possesses a current license in good standing and either holds a valid general anesthesia permit or obtains a moderate sedation permit.

Terms Used In California Business and Professions Code 1647.2

  • 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
  • moderate sedation: means a drug-induced depression of consciousness during which a patient responds purposefully to verbal commands, either alone or accompanied by light tactile stimulation, no interventions are required to maintain a patient's airway, spontaneous ventilation is adequate, and cardiovascular function is usually maintained. See California Business and Professions Code 1647.1

(2) The dentist possesses a current permit under Section 1638 or 1640 and either holds a valid general anesthesia permit or obtains a moderate sedation permit.

(b) A dentist shall obtain a pediatric endorsement on the moderate sedation permit prior to administering moderate sedation to a patient under 13 years of age.

(c) (1) A dentist who orders the administration of moderate sedation shall be physically present in the treatment facility while the patient is sedated.

(2) For patients under 13 years of age, there shall be at least two support personnel in addition to the operating dentist present at all times during the procedure involving moderate sedation. The operating dentist and one personnel member 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. The personnel member with current certification in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and airway management or other board-approved training in pediatric life support and airway management shall be dedicated to monitoring the patient during the procedure involving moderate sedation and may assist with interruptible patient-related tasks of short duration, such as holding an instrument.

(d) A dentist with a moderate sedation permit or a moderate sedation permit with a pediatric endorsement shall possess the training, equipment, and supplies to rescue a patient from an unintended deeper level of sedation.

(e) This article shall not apply to the administration of local anesthesia, minimal sedation, deep sedation, or general anesthesia.

(Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 929, Sec. 6. (SB 501) Effective January 1, 2019. Operative January 1, 2022, pursuant to Section 1647.12.)

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