Update Sept. 8, 2022: Dentists can now apply for the new general anesthesia and sedation permits through the dental board’s online licensing system BreEZe.
Dec. 17, 2021: As CDA reported last week, permit requirements are changing beginning January 2022 for California-licensed dentists who administer or order the administration of general anesthesia, moderate sedation or minimal sedation.
Final regulations to implement the new moderate sedation and pediatric minimal sedation permits, as well as to specify the newly required pediatric endorsement, are not expected until sometime in 2022, but the Dental Board of California today announced that licensees with anesthesia and sedation permits expiring in 2022 can renew early – by Dec. 31, 2021.
Renewing permits by Dec. 31 will ensure those licensees can continue to practice under their current permits until they expire and allow them additional time to comply with the new permit requirements. CDA had been advocating for the board to offer licensees an option to extend their existing permit terms until the final regulations and new permit terms are put in force.
Licensees with general anesthesia, conscious sedation and oral conscious sedation for minors (OCS) permits expiring in 2022 “must renew their permits by December 31, 2021, in order to continue to practice under the existing terms of the permits beyond the scheduled 2022 expiration date,” the board stated.
Early permit renewals accepted Dec. 17-31
BreeZe, the Department of Consumer Affairs’ online licensing system, is accepting early renewals effective today.
CDA’s article published Dec. 8 provides more details on the upcoming permit changes required under state legislation signed into law in 2018, including the new pediatric endorsement required to administer general anesthesia or sedation to a minor.
Current permitholders can continue to follow the terms of their permit until it expires. Licensees who renew their permit before the end of the year will still have until the original expiration date to complete continuing education requirements. Permits that do not expire in 2022 will remain valid until the expiration date.
Permitholders should watch for direct communications from the dental board by email and phone, at which time dentists can request assistance with renewal.