Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen Sedation Certificate Program
Administration of nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation is a technique used to alleviate anxiety and facilitate appropriate behavior during dental procedures. The Indiana State Board of Dentistry allows nitrous oxide with oxygen sedation as a permitted function delegable by a licensed dentist to a trained dental assistant or dental hygienist. This program will provide didactic (online) and clinical instruction required for certification as established by the Indiana State Board of Dentistry.
Refer to 2020 Indiana State rule IC 25-13-1-10.7
Who Should Enroll in this Program?
This program is designed for English-speaking graduates of a dental assisting or a dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association or a dental assistant with one or more years of experience in dental assisting.
Dental Assistants:
Proof of graduation from a dental assisting program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) OR proof of one or more years of dental assisting experience is required. To verify experience, the employer dentist must submit a signed letter (on company letterhead with a daytime phone number) verifying one or more years of dental assisting experience.
Dental Hygienists:
Proof of graduation from a dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
Learning Outcome
The learning outcome of this program is to enable the learner to incorporate best practices related to nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation.
Two-Part Completion
1. Online; 2. In-Practice Setting.
Enrollment Cost - $410*
Contact Hours - 5
Questions?
Call toll-free 1-877-USI-HLTH (874-4584)
or 812-461-5217 or email usi1nhpcert@usi.edu
Program Information
Objectives
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:
- Implement ethical decision making and follow Indiana jurisprudence as related to nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation by a dental assistant and dental hygienist.
- Identify systemic interactions that occur with exposure to nitrous oxide gas.
- List the indications and contraindications for nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation.
- Properly utilize the equipment for nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation.
- Implement strategies used to detect and monitor nitrous oxide gas in the environment.
- Outline the procedures to follow for the incremental induction technique and the rapid induction technique.
- Calculate the percentage of nitrous oxide gas used based on the liters per minute of nitrous oxide gas and the total liters per minute.
- Identify the signs and symptoms of proper sedation and over sedation.
- Respond appropriately when a patient is over sedated.
- Provide safe and effective administration of nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation on 5 occasions.
Criteria for Successful Completion
- Submit registration and payment.
- Complete online course content with a minimum cumulative average of 75%.
- Demonstrate clinical competency on a minimum of five (5) patients in a dental office under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist and submit a signed form verifying completion.
Contact Hours (5 Contact Hours)
Five contact hours (3 hours didactic; 2 hours clinical)
Successful completion of this program does not guarantee expertise in the content. Clinical experience and judgment, coupled with an understanding of the content, are necessary to attain competency.
Upon completion of the didactic requirements, each participants must demonstrate clinical competency on five (5) patients under the direct observation of a licensed dentist in Indiana. A form will be provided to each participant on which the observing licensed dentist will document certification of competency and completion of required clinical cases. The form must be signed by the certifier and submitted to the University of Southern Indiana's Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen Sedation Certificate Program.
Upon receipt of the signed form, USI will issue a certificate of completion that must be publicly displayed in the dental office where the participant practices. Once the certificate of completion is received, participants will be able to legally administer nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist in Indiana.
Enrollment Cost - $410
The fee includes access to the program, along with all resources and handouts.
Refund Policy
A $75 administrative fee will be charged prior to accessing the material if the registration fee has been paid. If the material has been accessed there will be no refund.
Questions? Call toll-free 1-877-USI-HLTH (874-4584) or 812-461-5217 or email usi1nhpcert@usi.edu
Faculty Name and Credentials
Emily Holt, MHA, RDH, CDA, EFDA, Chair, Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene Programs
Conflict of Interest Statement
No individual in a position to control content has any relevant financial relationships.
Program Content Delivery
Program Schedule
This activity is offered throughout the year as an independent study. Online instruction must be completed prior to beginning the five in-office patient experiences. Completion of five (5) live patient experiences in a dental office is required before certification is complete.
Delivery of Content
This program is organized into distinct parts: online instruction, then completion of clinical experience requirements in a dental office under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.
Part I: Online Instruction
Didactic course content is delivered asynchronously via Blackboard, the University of Southern Indiana online learning management system. Participants will be granted access to the course Blackboard once registration and payment are received and eligibility is verified. This online learning management system provides an opportunity for interaction with program faculty while learning in the comfort of your own home or office. Program staff are available during business hours by phone or email to assist participants with technical issues or concerns.
Note: Many businesses, especially government agencies or health institutions, utilize security firewalls. Access to web links within the course and communication from the instructor or other students may be blocked. We recommend not using a work email address for this course.
All modular quizzes must be completed with a minimum cumulative average of 75% prior to the completion of the clinical competencies.
Technical Support and System Requirements for Online Learning
Part II: In-office Requirement Completion
Upon completion of the didactic requirements, each participant must demonstrate clinical competency on five (5) patients under the direct observation of a licensed dentist. A form will be provided to each participant on which the observing licensed dentist will document certification of competency and completion of required clinical cases. The form must be signed by the certifier and submitted to the University of Southern Indiana’s Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen Sedation Certificate Program. Upon receipt of the signed form, USI will issue a certificate of completion that must be publicly displayed in the dental office where the participant practices. Once the certificate of completion is received, participants will be able to legally administer nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.
A textbook is not required for this program.
Accreditation Statements
The University of Southern Indiana is an approved provider for continuing education by the Indiana Health Professions Bureau.
The Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene Programs at the University of Southern Indiana are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and by the United States Department of Education.