As more patients become familiar with and inquire about sedation in the dental office, it is important that providers understand the risks and benefits of providing this valuable service. Proper training, proper equipment, and proper patient selection are required to ensure a safe and predictable outcome. This course will review essential concepts that guide dentists who provide sedation.

As more patients become familiar with and inquire about sedation in the dental office, it is important that providers understand the risks and benefits of providing this valuable service. Proper training, proper equipment and proper patient selection are required to ensure a safe and predictable outcome. This course will review essential concepts that guide dentists who provide sedation.

Ambulatory outpatient anesthesia has become an essential portion of our practices when performing advanced surgical techniques. The primary goals for administering anesthesia are anxiolysis, analgesia, and amnesia. In order to be prepared for the safe administration of ambulatory anesthesia and sedation, one must understand the relevant anatomy and physiology of adults and children in order to select appropriate patients and select appropriate pharmacologic agents. This in turn, will allow us to prevent complications and manage them when they occur.

Educational Objectives:
• Know your state laws and definitions regarding the provision of sedation/anesthesia in the office.
• Understand the required equipment and supplies for providing safe and effective sedation/anesthesia for patients.
• Understand your role on the team as the operator providing anesthesia to prevent and manage complications should they occur.
• Work as a team with the staff and other providers to provide a safe and successful experience for the patient.

Treating medically compromised patients under anesthesia has become a regular occurrence in dental offices. In order to avoid emergencies and be prepared for management of medically compromised patients, we must be able to utilize monitoring equipment to evaluate the patient’s pre, peri and post-operative state and level of consciousness. Clinicians should also be prepared to recognize any possible developing emergencies in the dental environment and be able to provide management if and when emergency scenarios may develop.