December 19, 2012
The anesthesia rules of the Colorado State Board of Dental Examiners require all dentists and dental personnel who use, administer or monitor anesthesia to maintain a current life support credential, which includes CPR.
For local anesthesia, analgesia or minimal sedation, dentists and dental personnel must successfully complete and maintain Basic Life Support training.
Dentists who have moderate sedation, deep sedation or general anesthesia privileges must successfully complete and maintain Advanced Cardiac Life Support or Pediatric Advanced Life Support training, as appropriate for the dentist’s practice.
In addition, the State Board’s Policy 3E outlines some specific criteria for accepted CPR courses. In Colorado, CPR training must be certified by the American Heart Association, the American Safety and Health Institute, or the American Red Cross. So long as the course is approved by one of these entities, the specific content and delivery format of the training is not specified. Dentists and dental personnel must keep their life support credentials current. Most CPR certificates require renewal every one or two years. Be sure to keep copies of current life support credentials in personnel files for easy reference.
