Colorado Dental Board: Dental Professional FAQs

Is a Clinical Onsite Inspection Necessary?

Any dentist applying for a Moderate Sedation Permit or a Deep Sedation/General Anesthesia Permit (or reinstating an expired one) must successfully complete a clinical on-site inspection as a condition of obtaining a Moderate Sedation Permit or Deep Sedation/General Anesthesia Permit.  If you received a Board-issued Inspection Permit after successfully demonstrating appropriate education and experience at either the Moderate or Deep Sedation/General Anesthesia levels, then you are eligible to proceed with your clinical on-site inspection.

Are Clinical Onsite Inspections Necessary for Renewals?

If you are renewing your Moderate Sedation Permit or Deep Sedation/General Anesthesia Permit, clinical onsite inspections are necessary; however, obtaining a Board-issued Inspection Permit is not required.

How Long are Clinical On-Site Inspection Permits Valid?

Inspection permits are effective for 90 days and unless otherwise authorized by the State Dental Board, the clinical on-site inspection must take place within those 90 days.

I Have a Board-Issued Inspection Permit, What Next?

Those individuals who have been issued an Inspection Permit by the Board should provide the authorized person performing the on-site inspection either the Moderate Sedation or Deep Sedation/General Anesthesia form and its attached instructions, along with a current copy of the related Board rule to the authorized person performing the clinical on-site anesthesia inspection.

Where Can I Find an Application Checklist for Anesthesia Permits?

Full application requirements for Minimal (MINS), Moderate (MODS), and/or Deep Sedation/General Anesthesia (GEN) Permit for Dental Hygienists are available here.

Who is Eligible to Conduct an On-Site Inspection?

Inspectors must be a Board-approved Colorado licensed physician or certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) trained in dental outpatient deep sedation / general anesthesia and moderate sedation OR a dentist issued a Deep Sedation/General Anesthesia Permit. The inspector must also have actively and consistently administered general anesthesia, deep sedation, and/or moderate sedation for the last three years in Colorado.  If you are renewing a Moderate Sedation Permit, you have the option of using a Board-approved licensed dentist issued a Moderate Sedation Permit to perform the clinical on-site inspection.

How Do I Locate a Board-Approved Inspector?

A list of Board-approved inspectors is found in the confirmation email of the TMPMINS/ TMPMOD / TMPGEN Permit when issued

What is the Purpose of an On-Site Inspection?

The purpose of an on-site inspection is to ensure that applicants have the proper equipment, records and emergency medications, and are performing surgical and aesthetic techniques that are within the standard of care. Inspectors observe at least one case while the applicant administers anesthesia at the moderate sedation or deep sedation/general anesthesia levels, and assess that his or her team knows how to provide moderate or deep sedation/general sedation in a safe manner, while also prepared to adequately manage anesthesia-related emergencies.

I Have Multiple Locations, Do I Need On-Site Inspections at All of Them?

Only one dental office is required to be part of the clinical on-site inspection. A separate clinical on-site inspection is not required if the applicant plans to travel to other dental office locations to administer
anesthesia once issued a Deep Sedation/General Anesthesia or Moderate Sedation Permit. However, it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that each dental office where he/she administers moderate sedation meets the requirements of the related Board Rule(s) once he or she is issued a permit.

Where Can I Find an Application Checklist for These Anesthesia Permit Types?

An Application checklist for Minimal (MINS), Moderate (MODS), and/or Deep Sedation/General Anesthesia (GEN) permits may be found here.

Are There Specific Rules Related to On-Site Inspections for Pediatric Anesthesia Permits?

Any applicant requesting a Pediatric Designation on his/her anesthesia permit is required to
have at least one pediatric case (under 12 years old) observed at a moderate sedation level as part of his/her inspection if he/she is eligible for a Moderate Sedation Permit through completion of either of the following:

• Pediatric specialty training program, or;
• Combination of acceptable pediatric education (30 hours) and experience (10 pediatric cases).