Event Details

Novocain or Lidocaine? Cap or crown? Post or implant? Many of the terms we use in dentistry are remnants from bygone eras. Many are innocuous. Some are not. When true informed consent is compromised or if our ability to safely teach, learn and deliver care are impeded, such terms are very detrimental. 

Many are surprised to learn that one such term is likely responsible for more brain damages and deaths in dentistry than any other concept. Many dentists are also surprised to learn that they use the term almost every single day in their practices. In 2016 the term "conscious sedation" was eliminated from the ADA's guidelines in sedation in dentistry. They also eliminated training guidelines for "conscious sedation." Yet as we continue to offer it, slowly but surely state laws are evolving, insurance codes are changing and patient expectations are advancing. 

What does it mean for you as a private practitioner? Do you need more training? Will you need a different sedation permit? What should you be advertising? Do your clinical practices need to be modified? How will this affect the curriculums of dental schools? Will new dental school graduates be more competitive than dentists who are already out in private practice? If you haven't been asking yourself these questions, you need to. Dentistry is in the midst of a massive step forward and every dentist of every specialty, background and training needs to actively keep pace. 

This course focuses on the evolution of sedation care in dentistry, ADA guidelines, AGD advocacy efforts and the American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists (ASDA) ongoing sedation education efforts. It will also present the historical context on why this change took place and relevant considerations as to how this positive and important step in the history dentistry is relevant to modern-day dentists. This course also introduces the ASDA/AGD joint effort to advance the field of education in sedation care through the Institute for the Management of Pain and Anxiety (IMPA). Further discussion will delve into what the future of sedative care looks like and will present various options practitioners can take to navigate their practices into the "post-2016 era" of sedative care in dentistry.

Upon successful completion of this course the attendee will: 

• Be able to utilize the proper sedation spectrum terminology in advertising, treatment planning, consenting and delivering care to patients
• Understand the updated ADA guidelines on sedative care and how they affect licensure, liability and overall practices of dental professionals
• Understand the more crucial role sedation plays in modern dentistry and why moderate sedation techniques are now considered mainstream as opposed to optional, supplemental skills in dentistry

Second District Dental Society is a recognized sponsor by the N.Y.S. Education Department, ADA CERP and the AGD.



Unless otherwise stated, all featured speakers have disclosed that they do not have any relevant financial arrangements or affiliations with any corporate organizations that would constitute a conflict of interest concerning the continuing education activities stated herein.