Nitrous Oxide Administration for Virginia Hygienists

This Light Sedation online course qualifies for Virginia’s nitrous oxide administration requirements*. It provides 8 hours of CE credit that is automatically issued with a digital certificate upon successful completion and a minimum exam score of 75%. A link to the application required by the Virginia Board of Dentistry to be certified is included in the course content.  

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 Virginia dental hygienists. 

Presented by DOCS Education with Dr. Anthony Feck, Dr. Carol Wilson, and others, this comprehensive light sedation program will teach hygienists the techniques of N₂O administration and monitoring, enabling them to maximize patient comfort and increase the practice’s productivity.  

You will learn the fundamentals of providing safe and comfortable dental care using a combination of light oral sedation protocols.  

Course Objectives: 

• Follow the ADA-recommended guidelines for minimal sedation. 
• Understand the proven and safe light sedation protocols. 
• Learn the science of nitrous oxide and other inhalation anesthetics. 
• Review hands-on techniques of N₂O administration, both fundamental and advanced. 
• Cover guidelines for patient monitoring and special equipment. 
• Understand airway management, including signs of an impending emergency. 
• Review prescribing, dispensing, and dosing oral sedatives, and related regulatory issues. 
• Learn to combine enteral/inhalation sedation. 
• Minimize nitrous exposure and biohazards for patients and staff. 
• Discuss proper sedation candidate selection.  

Including your team in the training of nitrous oxide and light sedation is an investment in the healthy longevity of your sedation practice.

Three-Step Process:

Part 1

Dental hygienists will complete 8 hours of online didactic training through DOCS Education, on their own schedule, at their home or office. Students must pass the final quiz with a 75% or greater grade.

Part 2

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

The Virginia 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

The dental hygienist should retain a copy of certificate of completion and the signed affidavit in order to legally initiate and monitor N2O and oxygen under indirect dentist supervision.

*18VAC60-25-100 (B)

To administer only nitrous oxide/inhalation analgesia, a dental hygienist shall successfully complete a didactic and clinical course leading to certification in administration of nitrous oxide offered by a CODA accredited dental or dental hygiene program, which includes a minimum of eight hours in didactic and clinical instruction and shall complete an examination with a minimum score of 75% in the administration of nitrous oxide/inhalation analgesia.

All sales are final. 

Purchase of this course grants access for one year and requires an internet connection, 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. 
 
Watch the video and complete the quiz to earn 8 CE credits.
 
Scientific support and additional resources are available here.