Sedation Facility Certificate Renewal
All sedation facility certificates issued by the Kentucky Board of Dentistry expire on Dec. 31 of every odd-numbered year. Therefore, facility operators who wish to have anything stronger than minimal sedation administered onsite should renew their certificate by the end of 2025. Facilities that do not renew by Dec. 31, 2025 will no longer be authorized to host procedures that require the administration of moderate sedation or deep sedation/general anesthesia.
The renewal portal opens in mid-October. Properly renewed facility certificates will be active from Jan. 1, 2024 to Dec. 31, 2025.
Sedation Facility Certificate Renewal Portal
What is a Sedation Facility Certificate and Do I Need One?
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 anything above minimal sedation. However, the certificate applies to the physical location where sedation is administered to verify that it has the appropriate facilities and resources to host such procedures. No dentist may administer moderate sedation or deep sedation/general anesthesia at a facility without a certificate and no facility may allow moderate sedation or deep sedation/general anesthesia to be provided by a dentist without a permit. Facility certificates operate on the same cycle as dentist licenses and must be renewed every two years.
Application for Sedation Facility Certificate
As of July 2020, an onsite inspection is no longer required to receive a sedation facility certificate.
Sedation and Anesthesia Permits
In July 2020, new rules for dentist-administered sedation and anesthesia took effect. These changes were initiated to align Kentucky with the American Dental Association’s updated Guidelines for the Use of Sedation and General Anesthesia by Dentists. The revisions included consolidated sedation permit categories and a simplified application process. The Board of Dentistry now issues the following two permit types:
Moderate Sedation (adult and/or pediatric)
Deep Sedation/General Anesthesia (adult and/or pediatric)
Visit the following link to read the rules in full:
201 KAR 8:550 Anesthesia and Sedation
Permit requirements and application process
Dentists must have a permit to administer anything stronger than minimal sedation. The experience needed to obtain a permit depends on the level of sedation and 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).
The following Sedation/Anesthesia Permit Requirements document summarizes the application requirements and defines Kentucky's recognized sedation levels. When ready to apply, use the Application for Sedation/Anesthesia Permit below for all permit categories:
Sedation/Anesthesia Permit Requirements
Application for Sedation/Anesthesia Permit
Sedation permit renewal
Just like dental licenses, all sedation permits in Kentucky must be renewed by Dec. 31 of odd-numbered years. 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 sedation training in a classroom setting. 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