"Minimal sedation" means a drug-induced state during which patients respond normally to verbal commands. Although cognitive function and physical coordination may be impaired, airway reflexes and ventilatory and cardiovascular are unaffected. Minimal sedation may be achieved by the administration of a single drug administered in a single or divided dose not to exceed the maximum recommended dose for unmonitored home use during a single appointment. A permit is not required for minimal sedation.
Dentists carrying out minimal sedation should have a full understanding of the rules related to anesthesia found at NDAC 20-02-01-05.
Drug(s) and/or techniques used should carry a margin of safety wide enough never to render unintended loss of consciousness. Further, patients whose only response is reflex withdrawal from repeated painful stimuli would not be considered to be in a state of minimal sedation.
Minimal sedation may be achieved by administration of a drug, either singly or in divided doses, by the enteral route to achieve the desired clinical effect, not to exceed the maximum recommended dose (MRD) in a single appointment. The administration of enteral drugs exceeding the maximum recommended dose during a single appointment is considered to be moderate sedation.
Combining two or more enteral drugs, excluding nitrous oxide, prescribing or administering drugs that are not recommended for unmonitored home use, or administering any parenteral drug constitutes moderate sedation and requires that the dentist must hold a moderate sedation permit.
A dentist administering minimal sedation must maintain basic life support certification.
