North Carolina Dental Board Considers Rule Changes After Deaths

The North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners could change rules on emergency response and training after a second death linked to “conscious sedation.”

The News & Observer of Raleigh reported the board is asking for public and professional comment on changes in the rules and procedures for dentistry and sedation.

Board operations officer Bobby White says he expects changes to be made in response to the comments.

“Conscious sedation” is supposed to depress patients’ consciousness but keep them responsive. Both dentists involved in the suspected dentistry-related deaths had permits for conscious sedation dentistry.

White says the review might include ways to better train dentists, methods for response to emergencies and how to select patients for various treatments.

The first public comment hearing is set for Greensboro on March 28.