Kentucky requires two types of dental sedation authorizations: Sedation Permits and Sedation Facility Certificates. A sedation permit is issued to individual dentists who have completed advanced training and who wish to administer anything higher than minimal sedation. A facility certificate is issued to clinics and other physical locations that have the appropriate equipment and resources to host advanced sedation procedures. No dentist may administer moderate sedation or deep sedation/general anesthesia at a facility without an active certificate, and no facility may allow moderate sedation or deep sedation/general anesthesia to be administered on premises by a dentist without an active permit. For more information on sedation dentistry, see 201 KAR 8:550.
Kentucky's dental sedation rules are designed to align with the American Dental Association’s Guidelines for the Use of Sedation and General Anesthesia by Dentists. Accordingly, the Board of Dentistry issues the following two permit types, each with two subtypes:
Moderate Sedation (adult and/or pediatric)
Deep Sedation/General Anesthesia (adult and/or pediatric)
A permit is not required to administer Nitrous Oxide Sedation or Minimal Sedation. However, dentists must have a permit to administer Moderate Sedation or higher. The training and experience needed to obtain a permit depends on the level of sedation and the age of the patient as follows:
Moderate Sedation for adult patients requires the completion of:
- current certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS); and
- a comprehensive training program in moderate sedation that is either approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) or meets the requirements of the ADA Guidelines for Teaching Pain Control and Sedation to Dentists and Dental Students.
Moderate Sedation for pediatric patients requires the completion of:
- current certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS); and
- a comprehensive training program in moderate sedation approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
Deep Sedation and General Anesthesia for adult patients require the completion of:
- current certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS); and
- a comprehensive training program in deep sedation or general anesthesia approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
Deep Sedation and General Anesthesia for pediatric patients require the completion of:
- current certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS); and
- a comprehensive training program in deep sedation or general anesthesia approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
Sedation Permits can be applied for online through the Board's
Application Portal or by submitting application documents to the Board office. Dentists may hold multiple permit types as long as they meet the requirements for each type. Please use one of the following options to begin the application process:
Sedation Permit Requirement Handout
Sedation Permit CE & Renewal Requirements
Just like dental licenses, all sedation permits in Kentucky must be renewed by Dec. 31 of odd-numbered years using the Licensee Portal on the KBD Portal Page. In addition to the 30 hours of Continuing Education required for license renewal, Moderate Sedation and Deep Sedation/General Anesthesia permit holders must also obtain another four hours of CE, specifically in sedation training. For details, visit the Continuing Education page.
Changes to Sedation Permit Locations
Permit holders are required to notify the Board of any changes to where they administer sedation within ten business days. If you need to add or delete a location associated with your sedation permit, please complete and submit the following form.
Sedation Permit Location Notification Form
Sedation Facility Certificates
A facility certificate is required for any location in which a qualified dentist administers moderate sedation or deep sedation/general anesthesia. Please note that a sedation facility certificate is a separate requirement from that of a sedation permit. Like dental licenses, permits apply to the individual dentist to ensure they have the required training to administer advanced sedation. However, the certificate applies to the physical location where sedation is administered to verify that it is properly equipped to host such procedures.
Sedation Facility Certificates can be applied for online through the Board's
Dental Facility Portal or by submitting application documents to the Board office. Please use one of the following options to begin the application process:
Print Sedation Facility Application
Sedation Facility Certificate Renewal
Just like sedation permits, all sedation facility certificates in Kentucky must be renewed by Dec. 31 of odd-numbered years using the Licensee Portal on the KBD Portal Page.