Many Dentists Who Can Use IV Sedation Still Prefer OCS
Among the hundreds of dentists who have shared their letters of protest with TEAM 1500 concerning the ADA's proposed restrictions on oral conscious sedation are dozens who are qualified to offer IV sedation, but choose OCS instead.
This is noteworthy because unlike most OCS dentists, those with IV permits and relevant training, won't be required to significantly upgrade their training to comply with the ADA's proposed guidelines. Still, these dentists are taking the time and making the effort to let the ADA know just how misguided the new proposals are.
Here is one such letter that recently reached us from Daniel L. Steinke, DDS, MAGD of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine:
Dear Committee Members:
I am writing in regards to the proposed changes in the guidelines for oral conscious sedation. For 25 years, I have provided oral conscious sedation with/without nitrous oxide nearly every day of my career. I have never had a significant complication and have allowed many people access to care that probably would not have been able to have the care otherwise.
I did a residency with an anesthesilogy rotation and am qualified to do IV sedation, but have chosen not to because, in a general practice, it is safer and more efficient to use oral sedation with/without nitrous oxide. Should we be listenting to oral surgeons who do not use this technique or should we be listening to those general dentists treating millions of cases without serious complications utilizing this technique on a daily basis?
An 18-20 hour course with ACLS certification and proper monitoring is reasonable in light of the evidence. More would not be evidence based and would restrict access to care to the possible 50% of patients who are fearful of dentistry.
Physicians are prescribing Benzodiazapines by the hundreds without any controls, but you are attempting to withhold services to our patients, prescribing only one or two plus the very safe nitrous oxide which has three times the amount of oxygen as the Ambient Air. Dr. Stan Malmed reported in a course just one year ago that using Benzodiazapines plus nixtrous oxide is much more safe than using nothing at all for the high fear patient.
The proposal you are considering has no scientific merit and is based only on politics which is detrimental to the patients we serve. I strongly suggest you alter your recommendation to that of the AGD white paper on conscious sedation.
This rule is for general dentists in the trenches attempting to serve their patients in the highest quality, safest manner. Taking away oral sedation or making it unachievable to the bulk of excellent general dentists would seriously jeopardize the oral health of Americans.
This is noteworthy because unlike most OCS dentists, those with IV permits and relevant training, won't be required to significantly upgrade their training to comply with the ADA's proposed guidelines. Still, these dentists are taking the time and making the effort to let the ADA know just how misguided the new proposals are.
Here is one such letter that recently reached us from Daniel L. Steinke, DDS, MAGD of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine:
Dear Committee Members:
I am writing in regards to the proposed changes in the guidelines for oral conscious sedation. For 25 years, I have provided oral conscious sedation with/without nitrous oxide nearly every day of my career. I have never had a significant complication and have allowed many people access to care that probably would not have been able to have the care otherwise.
I did a residency with an anesthesilogy rotation and am qualified to do IV sedation, but have chosen not to because, in a general practice, it is safer and more efficient to use oral sedation with/without nitrous oxide. Should we be listenting to oral surgeons who do not use this technique or should we be listening to those general dentists treating millions of cases without serious complications utilizing this technique on a daily basis?
An 18-20 hour course with ACLS certification and proper monitoring is reasonable in light of the evidence. More would not be evidence based and would restrict access to care to the possible 50% of patients who are fearful of dentistry.
Physicians are prescribing Benzodiazapines by the hundreds without any controls, but you are attempting to withhold services to our patients, prescribing only one or two plus the very safe nitrous oxide which has three times the amount of oxygen as the Ambient Air. Dr. Stan Malmed reported in a course just one year ago that using Benzodiazapines plus nixtrous oxide is much more safe than using nothing at all for the high fear patient.
The proposal you are considering has no scientific merit and is based only on politics which is detrimental to the patients we serve. I strongly suggest you alter your recommendation to that of the AGD white paper on conscious sedation.
This rule is for general dentists in the trenches attempting to serve their patients in the highest quality, safest manner. Taking away oral sedation or making it unachievable to the bulk of excellent general dentists would seriously jeopardize the oral health of Americans.
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