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Provincial Dental Board of
Nova Scotia
Policy
Provision of General Anesthesia in the Dental Office
January 2008
Definitions
General anesthesia is a controlled state of unconsciousness accompanied by partial or complete loss of protective reflexes including inability to maintain an airway independently and respond purposefully to physical stimulation or verbal command.
Dental office refers to treatment areas outside of accredited hospital facilities.
Education and Training Requirements
- General Anesthesia must only be performed in the dental office by:
I. Licensed dentists registered to practice in Nova Scotia who have successfully completed an accredited post-graduate anesthesia program in a university and / or teaching hospital over a minimum of 24 consecutive months.
II. Licensed dentists registered to practice in Nova Scotia who had successfully completed a post-graduate anesthesia program in a university and / or teaching hospital over a minimum of 12 consecutive months prior to 1993 and have continued to practice these modalities since that time. The program must have specifically evaluated and attested to the competency of the individual.
III. Licensed dentists registered to practice in Nova Scotia who have successfully completed an accredited post-graduate program in oral and maxillofacial surgery suitable for certification in the Province of Nova Scotia, incorporating adequate training in anesthesia, such that the individual competence has been specifically evaluated and attested to.
IV. Licensed physicians registered to practice in Nova Scotia who holds a fellowship in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in anesthesiology.
General Anesthesia Permit
All dental offices where general anesthesia is administered must have a permit from the Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia. Such a permit will be granted subject to satisfactory on site evaluations of the facilities, office protocols and equipment by an expert panel approved by the Provincial Dental Board.
Provision of General Anesthesia
The provider of the general anesthesia must not also be the provider of the dental treatment (s).
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