Nitrous Oxide Monitoring for Illinois Assistants & Hygienists

This Light Sedation online course qualifies for Illinois’ nitrous oxide administration and monitoring requirements*. It provides 8 hours of CE credit that is issued with a digital certificate upon successful completion of the lecture, clinical component, and a minimum exam score of 75%.  

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 Illinois dental assistants and hygienists.* 

Presented by DOCS Education with Dr. Anthony Feck, Dr. Carol Wilson, and others, this comprehensive light sedation program will teach Illinois hygienists and assistants the techniques of N₂O administration (hygienists only) 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: 

• Review the history of nitrous oxide and how it works.
• Review nitrous oxide administration techniques for predictable and effective results.
• Cover guidelines for patient monitoring and proper use of special equipment. 
• Understand the pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of nitrous oxide.
• Discuss the potential misuse and abuse of nitrous oxide.
• Understand the anatomical structures involved in inhalation anxiolysis.
• Review relative contraindications to nitrous oxide use.
• Learn the importance of a medical history evaluation and how to identify red flags.
• Review risk assessment and ASA classifications for the sedation patient.
• Understand the essential components of an emergency response dental team.
• Learn about recordkeeping.  

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 assistants and 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 a dental hygienist or assistant has completed and passed the didactic requirements, they must complete a clinical component by observing nitrous oxide administration to three (3) patients in a clinical setting by an Illinois-licensed dentist. The Illinois 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 both the didactic and live patient 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 certificate of completion and the signed affidavit in order to legally administer (hygienist only) and monitor N2O and oxygen under indirect dentist supervision.

* A dental hygienist may administer, and a dental assistant may monitor, nitrous oxide upon completion of courses totaling 6 hours or more relative to administration and monitoring of nitrous oxide analgesia and submit certification of successful completion to the dentist. Ill. Admin. Code tit. 68, § 1220.240; § 1220.245.

No permit required.

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.