Description of Program
Administration of nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation is a technique used to alleviate anxiety and facilitate appropriate behavior during dental procedures. The Indiana State Board of Dentistry allows nitrous oxide with oxygen sedation as a permitted function delegable by a licensed dentist to a trained dental assistant or dental hygienist. This program will provide didactic (online) and clinical instruction required for certification as established by the Indiana State Board of Dentistry.
Refer to 2020 Indiana State rule IC 25-13-1-10.7
Who Should Enroll in this Program?
This program is designed for English-speaking graduates of a dental assisting or a dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association or a dental assistant with one or more years of experience in dental assisting.
Dental assistants: Proof of graduation from a dental assisting program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) OR proof of one or more years of dental assisting experience is required. To verify experience, the employer dentist must submit a signed letter (on company letterhead with a daytime phone number) verifying one or more years of dental assisting experience.
Dental hygienists: Proof of graduation from a dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
Delivery of Content
This program is organized into distinct parts: online instruction then completion of clinical experience requirements in a dental office under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.
Part I: Online Instruction
Didactic course content is delivered asynchronously via Blackboard, the University of Southern Indiana online learning management system. Participants will be granted access to the course Blackboard once registration and payment are received and eligibility is verified. This online learning management system provides an opportunity for interaction with program faculty while learning in the comfort of your own home or office. Program staff are available during business hours by phone or email to assist participants with technical issues or concerns.
Note: Many businesses, especially government agencies or health institutions, utilize security firewalls. Access to web links within the course and communication from the instructor or other students may be blocked. We recommend not using a work email address for this course.
All modular quizzes must be completed with a minimum cumulative average of 75% prior to the completion of the clinical competencies.
Part II: In-office Requirement Completion
Upon completion of the didactic requirements, each participant must demonstrate clinical competency on five (5) patients under the direct observation of a licensed dentist. A form will be provided to each participant on which the observing licensed dentist will document certification of competency and completion of required clinical cases. The form must be signed by the certifier and submitted to the University of Southern Indiana’s Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen Sedation Certificate Program. Upon receipt of the signed form, USI will issue a certificate of completion that must be publicly displayed in the dental office where the participant practices. Once the certificate of completion is received, participants will be able to legally administer nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.
A textbook is not required for this program.
Program Schedule
This activity is offered throughout the year as an independent study. Online instruction must be completed prior to beginning the five in-office patient experiences. Completion of five (5) live patient experiences in a dental office is required before certification is complete.
Learning Outcome
The learning outcome of this program is to enable the learner to incorporate best practices related to nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation.
Program Objectives
At the conclusion of this program, the participant will be able to:
Contact Hours
5 contact hours (3 hours didactic, 2 hours clinical)
Successful completion of this program does not guarantee expertise in the content. Clinical experience and judgment, coupled with an understanding of the content, are necessary to attain competency.
Upon completion of the didactic requirements, each participants must demonstrate clinical competency on five (5) patients under the direct observation of a licensed dentist in Indiana. A form will be provided to each participant on which the observing licensed dentist will document certification of competency and completion of required clinical cases. The form must be signed by the certifier and submitted to the University of Southern Indiana's Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen Sedation Certificate Program.
Upon receipt of the signed form, USI will issue a certificate of completion that must be publicly displayed in the dental office where the participant practices. Once the certificate of completion is received, participants will be able to legally administer nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist in Indiana.
Criteria for successful completion
Dental assistants: Proof of graduation from a dental assisting program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) OR proof of one or more years of dental assisting experience is required. To verify experience, the employer dentist must submit a signed letter (on company letterhead with a daytime phone number) verifying one or more years of dental assisting experience.
Dental hygienists: Proof of graduation from a dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
Faculty Name and Credentials
Emily Holt, MHA, RDH, CDA, EFDA
Conflict of Interest Statement
No individual in a position to control content has any relevant financial relationships.
Accreditation
The University of Southern Indiana is an approved provider for continuing education by the Indiana Health Professions Bureau and the Illinois Board of Dentistry.
The Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene Programs at the University of Southern Indiana are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and by the United States Department of Education.
To Register: Click on the link above.
We recommend that you do NOT use internet explorer or a smart phone to register.
Registration Policy
Questions? Call toll-free 1-877-USI-HLTH (874-4584) or 812-461-5217 or email usi1nhpcert@usi.edu
Enrollment Cost
$400
The fee includes access to the program, along with all resources and handouts.
There is a $25.00 fee to invoice.
Refund Policy
A $50 administrative fee will be charged prior to accessing the material if the registration fee has been paid. If the material has been accessed there will be no refund.