Take the step toward safer, more comprehensive, and rewarding dentistry with the expert guidance of the DOCS Education faculty, who continue to set the highest standards in safe and effective dental sedation.
By Genni Burkhart
Sedation dentistry doesn’t just change how patients experience dentistry—it changes how dentists practice it. For many clinicians, the decision to expand into IV sedation represents both professional growth and a renewed purpose. Sedation also allows dentists to help fearful and medically complex patients who might otherwise avoid care, while elevating their own confidence, skill, and scope of practice.
For more than twenty-five years, DOCS Education has guided dentists through this process. Partnering with Idaho State University and Meharry Medical College, the DOCS Education IV Sedation Certification program gives clinicians the knowledge, hands-on training, and credentials needed to safely and effectively administer IV and oral sedation in outpatient dental settings.
The comprehensive curriculum meets or exceeds the American Dental Association’s Guidelines for the Use of Sedation and General Anesthesia by Dentists. Coursework includes 60 hours of combined home study and live instruction, plus a minimum of 20 live patient experiences. Built on a foundation of safety, the DOCS program fulfills IV sedation permit requirements in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Elevate Your Skills, Enhance Your Practice
Every dental professional has seen the impact of anxiety on patient care. For many individuals, fear and past trauma make even routine visits impossible. Others need extensive restorative or surgical work and want to complete that care comfortably and efficiently.
IV sedation enables clinicians to manage these cases with precision and control. Dentists can titrate medication, respond in real time, and create a calm, safe, and positive experience. Additionally, patients benefit from reduced anxiety and discomfort, while clinicians gain efficiency and the ability to provide more comprehensive care in fewer visits. Dentists who complete IV certification often report a shift in their scope of services as well as the satisfaction they feel providing them. Fear is replaced with trust, and complex cases become achievable. For many dentists, sedation redefines their practice.
Achieving Balance
Becoming IV certified does require commitment, but the process is designed to fit into a busy professional life. Traditional IV programs can span several weekends or require up to two weeks of travel, pulling dentists away from their businesses and personal lives. Fortunately, DOCS Education streamlines that path. Most didactic training is completed online through home study modules, followed by a focused, four-day clinical session with live patients. This structure minimizes time away from the office while ensuring that every participant gains extensive hands-on experience.
Upcoming clinical sessions are available in Lexington, Kentucky, and Salt Lake City, Utah, beginning in January 2026, with additional sessions scheduled through April 2026. Tuition options include an interest-free payment plan. An initial deposit secures a seat, with the balance divided over six months. One team member may attend at no additional cost, ensuring the entire practice benefits from the training. DOCS Education also provides guidance throughout the certification process—from registration and coursework to the IV permit itself. The program includes ACLS-level emergency preparedness training and team support for integrating sedation safely into the dental environment.
The Faculty Behind DOCS
The DOCS Education faculty represents some of the most respected voices in dentistry, medicine, and emergency care. Each brings extensive experience and a shared commitment to practical, evidence-based education.
DOCS Education Faculty:
Michael Silverman, DMD: Dr. Michael D. Silverman, DMD, President and co-founder of DOCS Education, is a University of Pennsylvania graduate, Fellow of the International College of Dentists, and internationally recognized leader in sedation dentistry. With four decades of experience, he has lectured before 28 dental boards, trained more than 30,000 clinicians worldwide, and shaped modern sedation standards through his pioneering education, advocacy, and leadership.
Dr. Anthony Feck, DMD: Dr. Anthony S. Feck, DMD, is a nationally recognized clinician, educator, author, and speaker known for his engaging and practical approach to dentistry. As co-founder and Dean of Faculty for DOCS Education, he has trained more than 10,000 dentists in sedation techniques and continues to advance dental care through teaching, innovation, and leadership in clinical excellence and practice management.
Dr. Leslie Fang, MD, PhD: Dr. Leslie Shu-Tung Fang, MD, PhD, is the John R. Gallagher III and Katherine A. Gallagher Endowed Chair in Clinical Excellence at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, where he teaches and practices Internal Medicine and Nephrology. A renowned educator, author, and international speaker, he serves as Medical Director for DOCS Education, shaping sedation dentistry curriculum and bridging medicine and dentistry through his award-winning publications and lectures worldwide.
Dr. Carol Mattox, DMD: Dr. Carol Mattox, DMD, is the owner of Dental Wellness of Lexington and a key clinical instructor for DOCS Education’s IV sedation program, where she selects and oversees patients for student training. A graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, she has earned honors in prosthodontics and oral radiology and continues to teach as an Associate Instructor and member of the Admissions Committee.
Dr. C. Ray Coleman, DDS: Dr. Ray Coleman, DDS, is the Dental Director for a major insurance carrier and co-owner of Coleman Tate Dental, where he has practiced in the Salt Lake Valley since 1989. As a lead clinician for DOCS Education’s IV sedation program in Salt Lake City, he guides and oversees student clinical training with a focus on patient safety and clinical excellence.
Dr. Taylor Tate, DDS: Dr. Taylor Tate, DDS, a top graduate of the University of Utah School of Dentistry, is co-owner of Coleman Tate Dental and Clinical Instructor for DOCS Education’s IV sedation program in Salt Lake City. He is dedicated to delivering exceptional patient care while mentoring future sedation dentists in clinical excellence.
Dr. Bryan Griffith, DMD: Dr. Bryan Griffith, DMD, a University of Kentucky College of Dentistry graduate and award-winning clinician, is known for his expertise in sedation and comprehensive dentistry. As a faculty member for DOCS Education’s IV Sedation program, he helps dentists meet state regulatory standards while sharing his passion for patient-centered, anxiety-free dental care.
Dr. Pawandeep Sekhon, DDS: Dr. Pawandeep Sekhon, DDS, earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from New York University and completed a General Practice Residency in British Columbia, where she gained advanced experience treating medically complex and anxious patients. Now practicing in Oregon, she combines compassion with modern dental techniques and serves as a faculty member for DOCS Education’s Oral Sedation program, helping dentists meet state regulatory standards.
Dr. Michael Thomas, DDS: Dr. Michael Thomas II, DDS, a second-generation dentist and graduate of The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, completed advanced hospital training in oral surgery and complex case management at Summa Health System. With expertise in sedation, implantology, and prosthodontics, he is a faculty member for DOCS Education’s IV Sedation program, helping dentists meet state regulatory standards while advocating for compassionate care for patients with special needs.
Dr. Steve Yun, MD: Dr. Steve Yun, MD, is a board-certified anesthesiologist and Diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology who specializes in bringing hospital-grade anesthesia safety to dental offices. A Clinical Professor at Western University and Examiner for the Dental Board of California, he holds privileges at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center and Rady’s Children’s Hospital and is widely respected for his expertise in pediatric anesthesia and patient safety.
Dr. Michael A. Knight, Sr, DDS: Dr. Michael A. Knight, Sr., DDS, is a graduate of Emory University School of Dentistry, where he finished first clinically in his class. A former adjunct professor at the Medical College of Georgia and the 2019 Safe Sedation Dentist of the Year, he performs more than 1,000 IV sedation surgeries annually and serves on the DOCS Education faculty, sharing his extensive experience in safe, effective sedation dentistry.
Dr. Allan Schwartz, DDS, CRNA: Dr. Allan Schwartz, DDS, CRNA, is a dual-trained dentist and nurse anesthetist who has taught anesthesia to dental and medical professionals for more than a decade. A graduate of Baylor College of Dentistry and Washington University School of Nurse Anesthesia, he holds one of Missouri’s few deep sedation permits and serves as an assistant clinical professor at St. Louis University’s Center for Advanced Dental Education.
Dr. Maxie Combs, DMD: Dr. Maxie Combs, DMD, a University of Louisville School of Dentistry graduate and co-owner of Dental Wellness of Lexington, is dedicated to helping patients overcome dental fear through compassionate, comprehensive care. As a faculty member for DOCS Education’s IV sedation program, she oversees clinical training and supports the next generation of dentists in providing safe, anxiety-free treatment.
Dr. Rachel Davis, DMD: Dr. Rachel Davis, DMD, a University of Louisville School of Dentistry graduate, is a general dentist with a focus on implant dentistry and full mouth rehabilitation. Founder and owner of Davis Dental Center, she brings years of hands-on experience and a lifelong passion for dentistry that began in her father’s practice.
Dr. Alan Arrington, DMD: Dr. Alan Arrington, DMD, a graduate of the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry, founded Hamilton Family Dentistry in 2007 and has become a regional leader in comprehensive care. DOCS IV sedation-certified, he specializes in surgical and complex restorative dentistry and is an active member of the ADA, GDA, and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.
Dr. Linel Holwager, DMD: Dr. Linel Holwager, DMD, a University of Louisville School of Dentistry graduate and fellowship-trained developmental dentist, is dedicated to serving her hometown of Leitchfield, Kentucky. With nearly a decade of experience in private practice caring for adults with special needs, she combines advanced clinical skills with a deep commitment to her community and lifelong learning.
Jim Bovia, EMT-P: Jim Bovia is a licensed paramedic with more than 25 years of experience who trains dentists and their teams in emergency preparedness. Through Life Support Services, Inc. and his work with Huron Valley Ambulance, he continues to teach and apply life-saving skills in real-world medical and dental settings.
Peter Chiang, DDS: Dr. Peter C. J. Chiang, DDS, is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and faculty member at UCLA, where he helps train future pediatric dentists. A UCLA-trained specialist, he focuses on children’s growth, prevention, and oral health education, and serves as an instructor for DOCS Education’s Pediatric Minimal Sedation Personalized Learning Experience.
Roger Sanger, DDS, MS: Dr. Roger G. Sanger, DDS, MS, is a nationally recognized leader in pediatric dentistry and course director for DOCS Education’s Pediatric Sedation Dentistry program. A USC-trained pediatric specialist, tenured professor, and former department chair at the University of Colorado Medical Center, he has performed more than 15,000 pediatric sedation cases, authored multiple textbooks, and pioneered “Pedonomics” and “Pedometrics” to advance the business and clinical practice of children’s dentistry.
John Dovgan, DDS, SCI: Dr. John W. Dovgan, DDS, is a practicing dentist and Arizona 1303 permit examiner recognized as the nation’s leading standard-of-care investigator. With experience in more than 1,200 state dental board cases and over 120 malpractice reviews, he brings real-world expertise to helping dentists navigate legal and regulatory compliance.
Craig Minnick: Craig Minnick, a Utah native and graduate of Weber State University’s Emergency Care and Rescue program, has served in EMS since 1997. A critical care paramedic and experienced EMS officer, he currently leads operations as the Washington County Director for Gold Cross Ambulance.
Charlie Halvorsen: Charlie Halvorsen is a seasoned emergency responder with 30 years of experience in EMS, fire, law enforcement, and federal search and rescue. A University of Utah–trained paramedic with a bachelor’s in Emergency Patient Care, he serves as a senior fire officer in Utah’s capital and joined the Coleman-Tate Dental and DOCS Education teams in 2024, where he contributes to clinical education and training.
These educators bring clinical authority, unique expertise, and a passion for helping their peers succeed. All of DOCS courses are practical, interactive, and grounded in real-world experience. Your instructors also teach what they practice, making the coursework relatable and relevant.
Join the Next Generation of Sedation Dentists
Since 1999, DOCS Education has trained more than 27,500 dentists, helping more than seven million patients receive care they once feared. With its university affiliations, expert faculty, and proven structure, the IV Sedation Certification program continues the mission of advancing clinical skill while keeping patient comfort and safety at the forefront.
DOCS Education is currently enrolling for 2026 IV Sedation Certification courses in Lexington, Kentucky, and Salt Lake City, Utah. To reserve your seat or schedule a consultation, contact the DOCS Education Clinical Program Manager or email [email protected], or visit the course page here.
Author: With over 15 years as a published journalist, editor, and writer, Genni Burkhart's career has spanned politics, healthcare, law, business finance, technology, and news. She resides in Northern Colorado, where she works as the editor-in-chief of the Incisor at DOCS Education.
