December 17, 2009
This week the CDA received a new revision of the SBDE’s anesthesia rule proposal that would modify the anesthesia permit structure for Colorado dentists. To view a copy of the most recent rule revision, click here. The new rule addresses a number of concerns raised at the Board’s last public rule hearing in October, including:
- Revision to use ADA definitions for the levels of sedation,
- Clarification and specificity on EKG requirements,
- Elimination of the term “anxiolysis” and clarification on premedication requirements, and
- Addition of a section detailing patient monitoring requirements.
The Board will accept written comments on the rule prior to its next meeting on Jan. 21, 2010 at 8:00 a.m. Comments may be submitted to the board at dental@dora.state.co.us or to 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202. Comments should be submitted by the board’s agenda deadline of Dec. 21 to ensure full consideration. We understand that the board does not intend to hear testimony on the rule during its January meeting, but welcomes the public to attend and observe the discussion.
As noted in the CDA’s recent e-Newsletter, if the anesthesia rule is adopted in January, then it would be effective on March 30, 2010. The SBDE has stated that new applications for anesthesia privileges or permits will be posted on its Website prior to the effective date of the new rule. Practitioners with current anesthesia permits will either be rolled over automatically into the new system once it becomes effective or will no longer be required to hold a permit or privilege, depending on the level of anesthesia they are performing.
