The Florida Board of Dentistry's revised Rules 64B5-14.009, Conscious Sedation Requirements: Operatory, Recovery Room, Equipment, Medicinal Drugs, Emergency Protocols, Records, and Continuous Monitoring and 64B5-14.010, Pediatric Conscious Sedation Requirements: Operatory, Recovery Room, Equipment, Medicinal Drugs, Emergency Protocols, Records, and Continuous Monitoring went into effect on April 17, 2016.

As a result of these regulatory changes, the rules were revised to clarify language concerning the standard equipment required in the operating and recovery room and to clarify the list of mandatory equipment. The Capnograph was added to the Board's list of equipment and devices that should be readily accesible to the medical professional in the operatory and recovery room - and that the capnography device should be maintained in good working order.

The amended regulations provided further clarification for continuous monitoring of patients who are administered drug(s) for conscious sedation. According to the 2016 regulations, these patients must be continuously monitored during the procedure by pulse-oximetry (with a pulse oximeter) and capnograph to provide pulse rate, oxygen saturation of the blood, and ventilations (end-tidal carbon dioxide).

For more information, please visit the Board’s website at https://floridasdentistry.gov/resources/.