The Standard of Practice: Minimal and Moderate Sedation Deep Sedation and General Anaesthesia in Non-Hospital Dental Practice, is the standard of practice for administration of sedation and applies to all regulated members administering sedation.
Sedation is a pharmacologically-induced, minimally to moderately depressed level of consciousness that retains the patient’s ability to independently and continually maintain an airway and respond to physical stimuli and verbal command. In dentistry, sedation may be indicated to treat patient anxiety associated with dental treatment, to enable treatment for patients who have cognitive impairment or motor dysfunction which prevents adequate dental treatment, to treat patients below the age of reason or for traumatic or extensive dental procedures. Minimal and Moderate Sedation Deep Sedation and General Anaesthesia is permitted in Non-Hospital Dental Practice so that the patient independently and continuously maintains an airway and can respond appropriately to physical stimuli and verbal command.
Regulated members (General Practitioner [Dentist], Endodontist, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Orthodontist and Dentofacial Orthopedist, Pediatric Dentist, Periodontist, Prosthodontist, Oral Medicine and Pathology, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist and Public Health Dentists) must register annually at the time of permit renewal on their administration of sedation.
Authorized Dentists by the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta (CDSA) must hold a current College of Dental Surgeons (CDSA) permit for Moderate Sedation, Deep Sedation General Anaesthesia and may only use techniques and drugs for minimal and moderate sedation that are approved by the CDSA. Regulated members must not sedate beyond their training for any technique utilized.
Authorizations to administer sedation and Sedation permits expire annually on December 31st.
In the event of an Unforeseen Event, a report must be made via telephone (780-432-1012) to the CDSA within one (1) business day of an Unforeseen Event or becoming aware of an Unforeseen Event.
The online fillable Unforeseen Event Report (UER) must be completed and submitted within two weeks of the telephone reporting to the CDSA. Handwritten reports will not be accepted.
Sedation permits issued in 2025 remain valid and can be used until your 2026 sedation permit is available. The 2026 permits will be issued in late February for registrants.
When available, further information on how to access your 2026 sedation permit will be provided via email and upcoming mini-Update emails.
There are eight modalities of Minimal and Moderate Sedation and two modalities of Deep Sedation and General Anaesthesia. The Modality determines the physical equipment and personnel requirements of the dental setting, the training requirements of the regulated member administering the sedation and the clinical personnel assisting the dentist. Regulated members are required to maintain competency related to the modality of sedation administered and must only sedate to the level of training. It is the regulated members responsibility to ensure that the dental office is properly staffed, equipped (emergency kit/equipment), standards are followed and report all Unforeseen Events to the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta.
Sedation permits are only issued for Moderate Sedation Modality 5, 6, 7, 8 and Deep Sedation General Anaesthesia (DGA). Moderate Sedation Modality 5, 6, 7 and 8 permits are dentist specific while Deep Sedation/General Anaesthesia DGA permits are dentist specific and facility specific. Sedation permits expire at the end of each calendar year. These permits must be displayed where you provide professional services, or available upon request.
The requirements for each Modality, when used separately or in combination by an authorized dentist in a non-hospital dental practice, must be met.
- Modality 1.0 Nitrous Oxide Sedation for patients 12 years of age and older
- Modality 2.0 Nitrous Oxide Sedation for patients under 12 years of age
- Modality 3.0 Oral Sedation for patients 12 years of age and older
- Modality 4.0 Oral Sedation for patients under 12 years of age
- Modality 5.0 Oral Sedation with Nitrous Oxide Sedation for patients 12 years of age and older
- Modality 6.0 Oral Sedation with Nitrous Oxide Sedation for patients under 12 years of age
- Modality 7.0 Parenteral (intravenous only) Sedation for patients 12 years of age and older
- Modality 8.0 Parenteral (intravenous only) Sedation for patients under 12 years of age
- DGA Deep Sedation/General Anaesthesia for patients 12 years of age and older
- DGA Deep Sedation/General Anaesthesia for patients under 12 years of age
Authorized dentists who administer sedation must provide evidence of current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Management.
- BLS is mandatory for all modalities of sedation
- ACLS is mandatory for Modality 7 and DGA (over 12)
- PALS is mandatory for Modality 4, 6, 8 and DGA (under 12)
- Airway Management is mandatory for Modality 7 and DGA (over 12)
- Airway Management with pediatric component is mandatory for Modality 4, 6, 8 and DGA (under 12)
It is up to the regulated member to determine whether the HCP/CPR including AED or equivalent certification course meets CDSA requirements and that your certification is valid. We recognize that there is a broad range of BLS course content and the course offerings are not consistent among providers. To provide clarity, the CDSA will accept any BLS course that is designed for healthcare professionals (e.g. dentistry). If you are uncertain about the validity of your certification, we recommend contacting your training provider.
There is NO grace period for expired current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Management; the authorized dentist must ensure that their Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Management is current at all times.
In addition, all clinical staff must have the training and ability to perform Health Care Provider CPR (HCP.CPR) and hold current certification. For more information see the CPR, AED and Emergency Drug/Equipment, Airway Management and Sedation Monitoring Requirements page.
Approved Continuing Education Training Courses
Throughout the current year dentists who have successfully completed an approved continuing education training course or who wish to change their previous submission must contact the CDSA to have their sedation registration form overridden (released) for re-submission.
Members can now take educational programs that meet the Standard. At this point, the approved continuing education programs are:
| 5.0 Oral Sedation with Nitrous Oxide Sedation for patients 12 years of age and older | |
| Approved Provider | Course Name |
| University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB | Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen; Sedation/Analgesia in Dental Practice & Oral Sedation/Oral Nitrous Combined 3 day course/21 hours |
| University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC | Inhalation and Oral Sedation in Dentistry: Mastering Adult Minimal Sedation 3 day course/21 hours |
| 7.0 Parenteral (intravenous only) Sedation for patients 12 years of age and older | |
| Approved Provider | Course Name |
| University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB | IV Conscious Sedation Program for Dentists |
| Oregon Academy of General Dentistry (OAGD) | Learn IV |