Who can administer nitrous oxide analgesia in a dental practice?
Dentists and Dental Specialists may administer nitrous oxide (a form of minimal sedation) if they have the necessary experience, training and competence to do so as defined by the Dental Board of Australia’s (DBA) Scope of Practice Registration Standard. dentalboard.gov.au/Registration Standards. It is strongly advised that dentists who utilise nitrous oxide sedation have completed an appropriate course such as provided by ADANSW.
Do dentists need to be endorsed by the Dental Board of Australia to provide
relative analgesia (RA)?
Dentists do not need to be endorsed to administer nitrous oxide on its own or in combination with local anaesthetic as long as they can demonstrate the necessary experience, training and competence required.
Dentists do need to be endorsed by the Dental Board of Australia to provide moderate sedation such as intravenous sedation or the combination of sedative agents.
Can dental hygienists, dental therapists and oral health therapists administer nitrous oxide without the presence of a dentist?
No. They do not have the prescribing authority required under state and territory drugs and poisons legislation to do so, even if they may have been trained to do so.
Can dentists administer nitrous oxide in combination with other sedatives/tranquilisers?
No. The combination of Nitrous Oxide with other depressant drugs including benzodiazepines (eg Valium, temazepam) is not permissible for practitioners who do not have the Conscious Sedation Endorsement.
IPC requirements from the ADA Inc Infection Control Committee
IPC requirements in relation to Relative analgesia equipment can be found on page 73 of the Guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control Fifth Edition https://ada.org.au/getmedia/e99d888d-c0ab-4be1-b889-85e5193fd7e7/ADA_Guidelines_Infection_Control_Guidelines.pdf  Â
ADA Guidelines for the Administration of Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen Relative Analgesia in Dentistry:
Disclaimer:Â This is one of a series of Advisory Services information sheets created by ADA NSW. They are intended as general guides that highlight key pieces of information frequently requested. They do not set out to provide comprehensive information about a topic and they are not legal advice. Please be mindful that information provided in these resources can change after the publication date.
