As used in this article:
(a) “Oral conscious sedation” means a minimally depressed level of consciousness produced by oral medication that retains the patient’s ability to maintain independently and continuously an airway, and respond appropriately to physical stimulation or verbal command.
(1) The drugs and techniques used in oral conscious sedation shall have a margin of safety wide enough to render unintended loss of consciousness unlikely. Further, patients whose only response is reflex withdrawal from painful stimuli would not be considered to be in a state of oral conscious sedation.
(2) For very young or handicapped individuals, incapable of the usually expected verbal response, a minimally depressed level of consciousness should be maintained.
(b) “Minor patient” means a dental patient under the age of 13 years.
(c) “Certification” means the issuance of a certificate to a dentist licensed by the board who provides the board with his or her name, and the location where the administration of oral conscious sedation will occur, and fulfills the requirements specified in Sections 1647.12 and 1647.13.
(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 539, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 2006.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018