Course Description:

This program complies with the Indiana State Board of Dentistry regulation (IC 25-13-1-10.7) for trained dental assistants and hygienists to administer nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation to patients.    

DOCS has provided Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen training to thousands of dentists and staff since 1999 and is proud to offer specialized nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation training for Indiana dental assistants and hygienists.

In accordance with the new 2020 Indiana State code provision 25-13-1-10.7, dental assistants or hygienists with one year of dental office experience or a who graduate from a CODA-accredited program can now administer nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation with training, experience, and certification.  

This course will teach qualified assistants and hygienists the techniques of N2O administration, enabling them to maximize patient comfort and increase the practice’s productivity.

It includes three (3) hours of online didactic education and instructions for acquiring hands-on training with five (5) patients, under the supervision of a licensed dentist. The combination of didactic training and patient experience with dentist supervision allows the student to learn on their own schedule, with no travel required. Upon completion, the dental assistant or hygienist should retain a copy of both as evidence of completion of the Indiana requirements to administer N2O. 

The program is offered through an affiliation with the AEGD Program in the Department of Dental Science, a CODA-accredited program, at Idaho State University.

Course Objectives 

  • Follow Indiana State Board of Dentistry guidelines for ethical and practical decision-making regarding nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation. 
  • Learn the proven and safe protocols for nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation, including the calculation of nitrous oxide gas used; pharmacology, biochemistry, and anatomy of nitrous oxide administration; emergency procedures; and the mechanics of operating a nitrous unit. 
  • Cover guidelines for patient monitoring and proper use of special equipment. 
  • Understand airway management, including signs of an impending emergency. 
  • Learn strategies for detecting N2O in the office environment 
  • Establish indications and contraindications for individual patient sedation. 

Part 1: 

Dental assistants and hygienists will complete three hours of online didactic training through DOCS Education, on their own schedule, at their home or office. A digital manual will be provided to accompany the course. Students must pass the final quiz with a 70% or greater grade before moving on to clinical training. 

Course participants will have unlimited electronic access to DOCS’ highly respected and experienced faculty members for questions regarding the course content.  

Part 2: 

Once students have completed and passed the didactic requirements, they must administer nitrous oxide to five (5) patients in a clinical setting under observation by an Indiana-licensed dentist.  

The Indiana dentist you choose (generally the employer dentist) will document competency and completion on a form provided by DOCS, and the signed affidavit will be proof of completion.  

Part 3:  

Once the team's qualifications verified*, and the online portion of the course is completed, CE will be provided.  Send the documents to [email protected] to request a certificate of completion.  The dental assistant or hygienist should retain a copy of the CE letter, certificate of completion and the signed affidavit in order to legally administer N2O and oxygen under dentist supervision. 

* Dental assistants must submit written and signed verification of one or more years of experience as a dental assistant including dates of employment. Verification must be on practice letterhead and signed by the employing dentists. Dental hygienists must submit an Indiana Dental Hygienist License.

Watch the video and complete the quiz to earn 3 CE credits.

Purchase of this course grants access for one year and requires an internet connection, a computer with video and audio capabilities, and in some cases, Adobe Reader to view handouts and articles.

You can download this course and watch it anywhere using the DOCS APP. Get it on Google Play or the Apple Store.

Scientific support and additional resources are available here.

AGD Subject Codes

340 Anesthesia and Pain Management (Inhalation techniques for conscious sedation)  – 3 hours

Cancellations, Transfers, and Returns:

DOCS online courses are available to the purchaser for one year from date of purchase.
No refund of course tuition is available.

 

Faculty

 
 
 
Dr. Anthony Feck
 
Dr. Anthony Feck
View Bio
Dr. Carol Wilson
 
Dr. Carol Wilson
View Bio

 

How can I meet my state’s requirements?

To learn more about how DOCS Education’s full range of courses can satisfy your state’s regulatory requirements, visit www.SedationRegulations.com. This unique online resource is kept up-to-date with the latest in sedation legislation by DOCS Education’s fulltime regulatory counsel. Contact one of our course advisers with any questions or visit our course listings to see upcoming classes and locations.

DOCS Education courses carry the AGD PACE certification

DOCS Education is the nation’s premier provider of safe sedation and advanced dentistry education, having trained almost 24,000 dentists. Since 2000, our courses have been accepted by the AGD for Fellowship/Mastership and membership maintenance credit. We offer extensive CE opportunities, both in-person and online, that meet your needs.

What is DOCS Education?

DOCS Education is an exclusive community of professionals serving at the forefront of dentistry. We offer world-class courses on safe sedation and advanced dentistry, relying on instructors who are consistently ranked among the very best in the nation. We also are a supportive network of members who guide one another to be better, more confident, more successful dentists.