NAC631.2227. Inspections and evaluations: Physical facilities and equipment.

A dentist’s office inspected or evaluated for the issuance or renewal of a general anesthesia permit, conscious sedation permit or certificate of site approval must meet the following minimum standards with regard to physical facilities and equipment:

     1. The operating theater must be large enough to accommodate the patient adequately on a table or in a dental chair and to allow an operating team consisting of at least three persons to move freely about the patient.

     2. The operating table or dental chair must:

     (a) Allow the patient to be placed in a position such that the operating team can maintain the airway;

     (b) Allow the operating team to alter the patient’s position quickly in an emergency; and

     (c) Provide a firm platform for the management of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

     3. The lighting system must be adequate to allow an evaluation of the patient’s skin and mucosal color. An alternate lighting system must derive its power from batteries and must be sufficiently intense to allow completion of any procedure underway at the time of a general power failure.

     4. Suction equipment must be available that allows aspiration of the oral and pharyngeal cavities. An alternate suction device that will function effectively during a general power failure must be available.

     5. A system for delivering oxygen must have adequate full-face masks and appropriate connectors, and be capable of delivering oxygen to the patient under positive pressure. An adequate alternate system for delivering oxygen is also required.

     6. A recovery area must be provided that has available oxygen, adequate lighting, suction and electrical outlets. The recovery area may be the operating theater. A member of the staff must be able to observe the patient at all times during the recovery.

     7. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, ancillary equipment must include:

     (a) A laryngoscope complete with an adequate selection of blades and spare batteries and bulbs;

     (b) Endotracheal tubes and appropriate connectors;

     (c) Oral airways;

     (d) A tonsillar or pharyngeal suction tip adaptable to all office suction outlets;

     (e) An endotracheal tube type forcep;

     (f) A sphygmomanometer and stethoscope;

     (g) An electrocardioscope and defibrillator;

     (h) Adequate equipment for the establishment of an intravenous infusion; and

     (i) A pulse oximeter.

Ê A dentist’s office inspected or evaluated for the issuance or renewal of a conscious sedation permit is not required to have the ancillary equipment described in paragraphs (a), (b), (e) and (g).

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Dental Exam’rs, eff. 10-21-83; A by R005-99, 9-7-2000)