Nitrous Oxide Certification

Licensed dental hygienists may administer and/or monitor nitrous oxide upon issuance of certification after successful completion of a Board-approved Nitrous Oxide Certification Course and in compliance with T.C.A. § 63-5-108(d) and this rule. To become certified, the licensed dental hygienist must complete and abide by the following process and rules: (1) Application and Qualifications for Certification. (a) Licensed dental hygienists in good standing with the Tennessee Board of Dentistry are eligible to take the Board-approved nitrous oxide certification course. RULES GOVERNING THE PRACTICE OF DENTAL HYGIENISTS CHAPTER 0460-03 (b) Licensed dental hygienists, who have successfully completed a comparable dental hygiene training program on nitrous oxide administration and monitoring in another state, which is comparable to the Board-approved course, are eligible to apply directly to the Board for certification in administering and monitoring nitrous oxide without additional training, provided the course is determined by the Board consultant to be equivalent to the Board-approved course in Tennessee. The information regarding content of the course and proof of completion must be sent directly from the course provider to the Board’s administrative office. If a certification or permit was issued by the other state, verification of the certificate or permit must be received directly from the other board. If it is determined that the course is not equivalent, the licensed dental hygienist will be required to comply with the provisions of subparagraph (1)(a) before certification can be issued. (2) Monitoring Certification. (a) A licensed dental hygienist who, on the effective date of this rule, possesses a certificate to monitor shall not begin to administer nitrous oxide unless and until the licensed dental hygienist has completed a Board-approved administration and monitoring certification course and has received certification issued by the Board. (b) Licensed dental hygienists with a monitoring certificate shall only monitor nitrous oxide sedation for patients of the employer dentist in accordance with the definition for monitoring nitrous oxide, as provided in Rule 0460-02-.07. (c) Licensed dental hygienists with certification in monitoring of nitrous oxide shall prominently display, at their place of employment, the current renewal certificate, which is received upon licensure and renewal. (d) Certification in monitoring nitrous oxide is only valid as long as the licensed dental hygienist has a current license to practice dental hygiene. If the license expires or is retired, the certification is also considered expired or retired and the dental hygienist may not monitor nitrous oxide until the license is reinstated or reactivated. (3) Administration and Monitoring Certification. (a) A licensed dental hygienist, with or without monitoring certification, must apply for and complete a Board-approved certification course in the administration and monitoring of nitrous oxide and obtain their certification, issued by the Board, before he/she can administer nitrous oxide and monitor any patient. (b) Certification in administration and monitoring of nitrous oxide is only valid as long as the licensed dental hygienist has a current license to practice dental hygiene. If the license expires or is retired, the certification is also considered expired or retired and the dental hygienist may not administer and/or monitor nitrous oxide until the license is reinstated or reactivated. (c) Licensed dental hygienists who possess a certification in administration and monitoring of nitrous oxide shall prominently display, at their place of employment, the current renewal certificate, which is received upon licensure and renewal. (d) Duly licensed dental hygienists with nitrous oxide administration certification may administer nitrous oxide only under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist. (e) A licensed dental hygienist may not administer and monitor nitrous oxide to more than one (1) patient at a time and must physically remain in the operatory at all times with the patient. RULES GOVERNING THE PRACTICE OF DENTAL HYGIENISTS CHAPTER 0460-03