URGENT NEWS FROM

THE WV BOARD OF DENTAL EXAMINERS

& ANESTHESIA COMMITTEE



NOTICE TO ALL LICENSED DENTISTS

PRACTICING WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES

OF THE STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA


           As you are were previously informed a new dental anesthesia law in the State of West Virginia took effect July 8, 2005. There are no provisions within the new law that allow for a period of time to come into compliance.


           It has been brought to the Board’s attention that practitioners have been informed they have until January 2006 in order to comply with the new anesthesia law. This notification is to clearly inform all practitioners that failure to be in compliance with the new anesthesia law is in fact a violation of the current law.


           The application process to properly secure a permit to practice sedation under the new law for class 2 and 3A permits is in effect. Any practitioner that has not secured such permit is practicing in violation of the law and is hereby instructed to cease and desist such practices until securing an appropriate permit.


           The Anesthesia Committee has approved the *DOCS Course, “Anxiolysis Beyond Valium®” as being sufficient to meet the criteria for a class 2 certificate and “Adult Oral Sedation, as being sufficient to meet the criteria for a class 3A enteral conscious sedation permit.


QUALIFIED MONITOR

CLASS 3A, 3B & 4 PERMIT


           In regards to the “Qualified Monitor” necessary for the 3A, 3B and 4 Permits, please be advised that the nitrous oxide certification issued by the Board to dental hygienists and dental assistants are necessary to monitor nitrous oxide by the Board’s rules concerning expanded duties. However, the nitrous certificate does not fulfill the requirements of a “Qualified Monitor” as set forth in the new anesthesia law.


           While the permit holder is a “Qualified Monitor” any trained personnel, other than the permit holder, must have a certificate showing successful completion in the last two years of BLS/CPR training and completion of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Office Anesthesia Assistant training or an equivalent.


           The Anesthesia Committee has deemed the *DOCS training as equivalent to the AAOMS Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Anesthesia Assistant certification. Therefore if a dental hygienist or dental assistant completes the *DOCS course and is certified to the Board by *DOCS, they will be considered a qualified monitor.


           Information concerning the AAOMS OMAAP can be obtained by calling the AAOMS at 1-800-822-6637 or by going to the AAOMS website at www.aaoms.org click on site map, then click on Oral & Maxillofacial Anesthesia Assistants Program (OMAAP), then click on What is OMAAP? It is our understanding that the AAOMS will allow assistants in the State of West Virginia to take the OMAAP who are employed by a dental professional who is applying for an anesthesia permit.


          Other qualified healthcare professionals, such as but not limited to, Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses are considered Qualified Monitors. Submission of a copy of their current license and/or proof of recent training will be accepted for verification.


          Other Qualified Monitors would be a dental anesthetist or another dentist, licensed by the State of West Virginia, who possesses an anesthesia certificate of a Class 2 or above.