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Sedation

219 - A Comparative Analysis of Moderate Sedation Regulations in the US

Saturday, May 23, 2026
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM PST
Has Audio
Abstract:

A Comparative Analysis of Moderate Sedation Regulations in the US

Moy A, Tanbonliong T, Nelson T, Wilson S

University of Washington, Seattle, WA



Purpose:



The purpose of this study was to compare moderate enteral sedation regulations across the 50 US states and evaluate alignment with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)/American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Dental Association (ADA) guidelines.



Methods:

An online review of all state dental sedation laws was conducted from January to June 2025. Extracted variables included permit type, renewal interval, site visit, emergency drills, and education requirements. State regulations were compared with the AAPD Guidelines for Monitoring and Management of Pediatric Patients During and After Sedation and the ADA Guidelines for Teaching Pain Control and Sedation to Dentists and Dental Students.



Results:

Forty-eight states (96%) require a permit to administer moderate enteral sedation. The most common renewal interval is 2 years (58%), and two-thirds of states require 1–5 annual continuing education hours. Twenty states (40%) require a pediatric endorsement. Nearly all states (98%) mandate advanced life-support training for pediatric patients. More than half of states (64%) require an initial site visit, and 50% require regular emergency drills. Educational standards vary widely, though 60 didactic hours and 20 cases are most common. Most states (86%) require BLS for monitoring personnel, and 56% require at least 2 individuals present during procedures.



Conclusions:

Despite increased regulation of moderate enteral sedation in recent decades, significant variability persists among state permit definitions and requirements. These findings highlight the need for standardized, evidence-based state dental practice acts that clearly define sedation levels, routes, and training requirements to promote consistency and safety.

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