The purpose of WAC 246-817-701 through 246-817-790 is to govern the administration of anesthetic, sedation, and general anesthesia by dentists licensed in the state of Washington in settings other than hospitals as defined in WAC 246-320-010 and ambulatory surgical facilities as defined in WAC 246-310-010, pursuant to the DQAC authority in RCW 18.32.640.

(1) The DQAC has determined that sedation and anesthesia permitting should be based on the level of sedation or anesthesia because sedation or anesthesia is a continuum, and the route of administration and drug combinations are both capable of producing a deeper level of sedation or anesthesia than is initially intended. Practitioners intending to produce a given level of sedation should be able to rescue patients who enter a state deeper than initially intended.

(2) All anesthesia providers must provide 24-hour, on-call availability following an anesthesia procedure.

(a) A licensed dentist that only administers local anesthesia shall provide timely telephonic or electronic communication with the patient or their representative by the provider or a designated provider.

(b) In the event a licensed dentist will be unavailable for timely assistance, the licensed dentist shall have a prearranged agreement with another provider that is available to provide timely care to a patient.

(3) The dental assistant and expanded function dental auxiliary may not administer any general or local anesthetic, including intravenous sedation.