Dental IV Sedation Courses

Dental patients who experience an extreme level of nervousness and anxiety are prime candidates for intravenous (IV) sedation, which is administered through the veins for quick absorption into the bloodstream. There are strict procedures for how to administer the anesthesia, and dentists interested in performing IV sedation must take courses that provide the necessary training to meet the requirements of a general anesthesia permit issued by the dental board of the state in which they practice.

Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation

• Since 1999, the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS) Education, located in Seattle, Washington, has offered oral and IV sedation courses in the U.S. and Canada. Faculty include medical doctors and dentists who've performed more than 6,000 sedation cases. DOCS Education offers two IV sedation courses: "Intro to IV," and "IV Sedation Update". The "Intro to IV" course is a two-day training seminar with topics such as airway management instruction and practice, emergency preparedness and how to start an IV line. The "IV Sedation Update" course (also over two days), is for dentists who want further information about IV sedation or dentists who already have their permits. Subjects include protocol review for common IV medication, managing airways, emergency procedures and case studies. Both courses are offered in Atlanta, Memphis or Washington D.C., and are intended to provide a basic knowledge of IV sedation, rather than a full certification program.

Conscious Sedation Consulting

• Conscious Sedation Consulting offers IV dental sedation training for dentists across the U.S. The courses are provided to groups of three to six dentists at various locations in the country. A minimum of 60 hours of coursework and direct participation is required, including 20 to 30 clinical cases performed under observation. Course subjects include airway management, adverse events, pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of sedatives and sedation equipment. Conscious Sedation Consulting is certified by the American Dental Association Continuing Education Recognition Program as a recognized provider in dental education.

University of Southern California School of Dentistry

• The University of Southern California (USC) School of Dentistry in Los Angeles offers a two-part, seven day course titled "Clinical Intravenous Sedation". This course teaches the basics of IV sedation to dentists who've never used the technique and satisfies the dental board requirements for acquiring a sedation permit. Because this is a clinical course, participating dentists will interact directly with patients who are receiving IV medications. Dentists must complete three prerequisite courses: "Physical Evaluation," "Emergency Medicine," and "Monitoring and Clinical Emergency Medicine," prior to enrolling in the IV sedation course.

Advanced Anesthesia Seminars

• Advanced Anesthesia Seminars offers dental IV sedation courses at the Solis Surgical Arts Center, a state-licensed ambulatory surgery facility in Sherman Oaks, California, that provides sedation and general anesthesia for dental and oral surgeries. Courses are taught by two dentists who specialize in IV sedation, and include an advanced IV sedation and airway management course for generalists and specialists, and an advanced airway management course. Both courses take place over five days, and include lectures, clinical observation of actual anesthetized patients, preoperative history and evaluation, patient interview and pre-medication, review of pharmacology and pharmacodynamics of anesthetic agents and review of anesthetic related emergencies.