West Virginia Dental Assistant Requirements

Any individual, including a dental assistant, acting as a Qualified Monitor during sedation procedures must have received training and be competent in the recognition and treatment of medical emergencies, monitoring vital signs, the operation of nitrous oxide delivery systems and the use of the sphygmomanometer and stethoscope AND must meet the following requirements:

For relative analgesia/minimal sedation: Possess a current health care provider BLS/CPR certification (qualified monitor certificate is not required)

For anxiolysis/minimal sedation:

1. Possess a current health care provider BLS/CPR certification, AND

2. Apply to the WVBD for a qualified monitor certificate

For conscious sedation/moderate sedation (limited enteral or comprehensive parenteral) and general anesthesia/deep conscious sedation:

1. Possess a current health care provider BLS/CPR certification, AND

2. Successfully complete an American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) or American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) anesthesia assistants certification program or equivalent, AND

3. Apply to the WVBD for a qualified monitor certificate

In addition to the above requirements for a Qualified Monitor, for all levels of sedation, including relative analgesia/minimal sedation, when monitoring a nitrous oxide unit, a certificate to monitor nitrous oxide must be obtained from the Board, as described above under “Dental Assistant Qualified in Expanded Duties.”

A dentist holding an anesthesia permit must report the names and qualifications of each Qualified Monitor providing services to that permitholder to the WVBD.