House Bill 1278 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)
By: Representatives Hawkins of the 27th, Stephens of the 164th, Greene of the 154th, Newton
of the 127th, Schofield of the 63rd, and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,
relating to general provisions relative to dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants, so
as to improve efficiencies in the issuance of permits for dentists to administer conscious
sedation and general anesthesia; to provide for the evaluation and certification of a properly
equipped facility; to provide for demonstration of proficiency in administering sedative
techniques; to authorize the board to designate qualified personnel to perform certain
evaluations, certifications, and examinations; to provide for related matters; to repeal
conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
general provisions relative to dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants, is amended
in Code Section 43-11-21, relating to conscious sedation, by revising subsections (b) and (c)
as follows:
"(b) No dentist shall be issued a permit under this Code section unless the board has
received satisfactory evidence that such dentist:
(1) Has received formal training in the use of conscious sedation at an institution
accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental
Association <del>(ADA),</del> its successor agency, or other board approved organization and is
certified by such organization as competent in the administration of pharmacologic agents
for conscious sedation and the handling of emergencies relating to conscious sedation.
Such certification shall specify the type, number of hours, and length of training. The
minimum didactic hours, patient contact hours, and number of patients sedated under
supervision shall be established by rule or regulation of the board;
(2) Utilizes a properly equipped facility for the administration of conscious sedation,
including physical plant and equipment, which has been evaluated and certified by <del>an
on-site examination</del> <ins>the board or any designee thereof;</ins> and
(3) Has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the board or any designee thereof proficiency
in administering sedative techniques <del>in the dentist's office</del> on a patient or patients in a
safe and effective manner.
(c) In enforcing the provisions of this Code section, the board is authorized to designate
qualified persons to perform <del>the on-site</del> <ins>any evaluations, certifications, and</ins> examinations
<ins>required or authorized by this Code section</ins> and is further authorized to provide by rule or
regulation for standards for physical plant, equipment, and personnel to be utilized in the
induction of conscious sedation."
SECTION 2.
Said article is further amended in Code Section 43-11-21.1, relating to general anesthesia,
by revising subsections (b) and (c) as follows:
"(b) No dentist shall be issued a permit under this Code section nor have such permit
renewed unless the board has received satisfactory evidence that such dentist:
(1)(A) Has successfully completed a minimum of one year of advanced training in
anesthesiology and related academic subjects beyond the undergraduate dental school
level at an institution accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the
American Dental Association or its successor agency or by a nationally recognized
health care accreditation body for hospitals; or
(B) Is a diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, is a
member of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, or is a fellow
of the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology;
(2) Utilizes a properly equipped facility for the administration of general anesthesia,
including physical plant and equipment which has been evaluated and certified by <del>an
on-site examination</del> <ins>the board or any designee thereof;</ins> and
(3) Has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the board or any designee thereof proficiency
in administering general anesthesia on a patient or patients <del>in the dentist's office</del> in a safe
and effective manner.
(c) In enforcing the provisions of this Code section, the board is authorized to designate
qualified persons to perform <del>the on-site</del> <ins>any evaluations, certifications, and</ins> examinations
<ins>required or authorized by this Code section</ins> and is further authorized to provide by rule or
regulation for standards for physical plant, equipment, and personnel to be utilized in the
administration of general anesthesia."
SECTION 3.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.