July 2, 2009
The Colorado State Board of Dental Examiners (SBDE) has issued a new draft of the proposed rule on anesthesia permits and administration. The revised rule proposal includes new sections that outline how the Board intends to transition current licenses and further detail the requirements for nitrous oxide administration. It also makes some editorial changes for clarification.
For those who hold active anesthesia permits, the board has outlined the following transition structure as of August 30, 2009:
Those who currently hold a General Anesthesia/Deep Sedation permit would be granted a Level II permit that would be valid for 5 years. At the 5 year expiration, the dentist would have to demonstrate compliance with the new rule in order to have the permit renewed.
Those who currently hold a Parenteral Conscious Sedation permit would be granted a Level I permit that would be valid for 5 years. At the 5 year expiration, the dentist would have to demonstrate compliance with the new rule in order to have the permit renewed.
Those who currently hold an Enteral Conscious Sedation permit would be granted a restricted Level I permit that would allow enteral sedation but not the broader anesthesia privileges granted under a Level I permit. The restricted Level I permit would expire on August 30, 2011 or at the expiration date of the dentist’s current enteral permit, whichever occurs later. Upon expiration of the restricted permit, the dentist would be required to comply with the new rules in order to obtain a full Level I permit. If the dentist is qualified for a parenteral or deep sedation permit through past training but has not applied for the higher permit level at this time, he/she would be eligible to obtain an unrestricted Level I permit that would be valid for 5 years. At the 5 year expiration, the dentist would have to demonstrate compliance with the new rule in order to have the permit renewed.
Those who currently hold a Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Inhalation permit would generally not be required to have a permit under the new structure. Most nitrous oxide applications performed by a dentist would fall into a permit-free category. The dentist would need to obtain a permit only if he/she intends to achieve “minimal,” “moderate” or higher sedation levels in a patient via nitrous oxide administration.
Dental hygienists permits would be automatically converted and would maintain their current renewal dates.
To view the full rule proposal revision, visit: http://www.dora.state.co.us/Dental/RevisedRedlineRules62509.pdf. The recent changes are highlighted in green.
Please let the CDA know if you have any additional comments or concerns about the rule as revised. Please contact Jennifer Goodrum at 303-996-2847 or jennifer@cdaonline.org with any comments.
Also, we continue to encourage CDA members to attend the Board’s public hearing on the anesthesia rule and provide testimony on any comments or concerns. The rule hearing will be held on July 9 starting at 8am at 1560 Broadway, Suite 1380, Denver, CO 80202.
