Sedation Dentistry in NJ

Kevin Earle, Executive Director
New Jersey State Board of Dentistry
124 Halsey Street
P.O. Box 45005
Newark, NJ 07101


Dear Mr. Earle:

My dentist has asked me to sign this petition. I was a sedation patient in the state of New Jersey, and can testify to the fact that sedation dentistry was the answer to my prayers. The only other way to face the type of dentistry I needed would have been to undergo general anesthesia, which by my investigation proved to have far more potential adverse consequences. I might otherwise have ended up in the offices of an oral surgeon to have my teeth removed, and not saved.

Oral conscious sedation helped me overcome my fears. I had no adverse consequences. I have my teeth, my smile, and far less anxiety about visiting the dentist on a regular basis now.

I understand that there is a movement afoot in New Jersey to make the requirements for the dentist so burdensome as to cause some of them to curtail this vital service. I also understand that the only organization that supports these pre-requisites is a group of oral surgeons, who dont seem to be as concerned about dental health, as they are about extracting teeth on patients who THEY put to sleep.

I would ask that you fairly evaluate the fact that The American Dental Association (ADA), the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology (ADSA), the American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists (ASDA), the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), and the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS) are all in concurrence with the fact that adult oral conscious sedation and IV sedation are separate modalities with different educational standards. All of the aforementioned organizations agree that 18 hours of didactic instruction and 20 patient experiences are sufficient for oral conscious sedation and that 60

While I was sedation patient, I might have taken a nap or two, but the doctor was in constant conversation with me. I had little memory of the process, and as a citizen of New Jersey feel that sedation dentistry should become more mainstream, to help others with my level of fear and anxiety. My dentists has also informed me that his malpractice premium is no higher than it would be if he didnt render sedation. I would therefore conclude that there is no data to indicate that this process is so dangerous,and that the training the doctors are already receiving isnt rigorous enough.

Because of laws of supply and demand, your rules changes will only make a process that is already pricey, much more expensive. Advocating additional training and equipment will increase dentists overheads, and make todays prices look downright affordable.