SB 501 Summary

• Requires the Dental Board of California to review adverse events data and professional guidelines related to general anesthesia, deep sedation, moderate sedation, and minimal sedation in dentistry, with a report to the Legislature due by January 1, 2022.

• Establishes new regulatory requirements for dentists administering deep sedation and general anesthesia beginning January 1, 2022, including mandatory general anesthesia permits, pediatric endorsements for patients under 7 years old, onsite inspections, and specific personnel and training requirements.

• Replaces "conscious sedation" terminology with "moderate sedation" and creates new permitting and training requirements for moderate sedation administration, including 60 hours of instruction and 20 completed cases for initial permits.

• Creates new provisions allowing dentists to administer pediatric minimal sedation to patients under 13 years old with 24 hours of training plus one clinical case, limited to single oral sedative drugs.

• Allows licensed physicians and surgeons to administer deep sedation or general anesthesia in dental offices if they hold valid medical licenses, general anesthesia permits from the Dental Board, and meet specified training and oversight requirements.