Nitrous Oxide Administration Course
Nitrous Oxide Administration Course
Offered in partnership with DOCS Education through an affiliation with AEGD Program
in the Department of Dental Science, a CODA-accredited program at Idaho State
University College of Health
In accordance with the new 2020 Indiana State code provision 25-13-1-10.7, dental assistants or
hygienists must have at least one year of office experience to be eligible for the Nitrous Oxide
Administration course. This program complies with the Indiana State Board of Dentistry
regulation (IC 25-13-1-10.7) for trained dental assistants and hygienists to administer nitrous
oxide and oxygen sedation to patients.
In accordance with the new provision, dental assistants or hygienists with one year of dental
office experience or a who graduate from a CODA-accredited program can now administer
nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation with training, experience, and certification.
will teach qualified assistants and hygienists the techniques of N2O administration, enabling
them to maximize patient comfort and increase the practice’s productivity.
It includes three (3) hours of online didactic education and instructions for acquiring hands-on
training with five (5) patients, under the supervision of a licensed dentist. The combination of
didactic training and patient experience with dentist supervision allows the student to learn on
their own schedule, with no travel required. Upon completion, the dental assistant or hygienist
should retain a copy of both as evidence of completion of the Indiana requirements to administer
N2O.
Course Objectives
● Follow Indiana State Board of Dentistry guidelines for ethical and practical
decision-making regarding nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation.
● Learn the proven and safe protocols for nitrous oxide and oxygen sedation, including the
calculation of nitrous oxide gas used; pharmacology, biochemistry, and anatomy of
nitrous oxide administration; emergency procedures; and the mechanics of operating a
nitrous unit.
● Cover guidelines for patient monitoring and proper use of special equipment.
● Understand airway management, including signs of an impending emergency.
● Learn strategies for detecting N2O in the office environment
● Establish indications and contraindications for individual patient sedation.
Part 1:
Dental assistants and hygienists will complete three hours of online didactic training through
DOCS Education, on their own schedule, at their home or office. A digital manual will be
provided to accompany the course. Students must pass the final quiz with a 70% or greater grade
before moving on to clinical training.
Course participants will have unlimited electronic access to DOCS’ highly respected and
experienced faculty members for questions regarding the course content.
Part 2:
Once students have completed and passed the didactic requirements, they must administer
nitrous oxide to five (5) patients in a clinical setting under observation by an Indiana-licensed
dentist.
The Indiana dentist you choose (generally the employer dentist) will document competency and
completion on a form provided by DOCS, and the signed affidavit will be proof of completion.
Part 3:
Once the team's qualifications verified*, and the online portion of the course is completed, CE
will be provided. Send the documents to [email protected] to request a certificate of
completion. The dental assistant or hygienist should retain a copy of the CE letter, certificate of
completion and the signed affidavit in order to legally administer N2O and oxygen under dentist
supervision.
*Dental assistants must submit written and signed verification of one or more years of
experience as a dental assistant including dates of employment. Verification must be on practice
letterhead and signed by the employing dentists. Dental hygienists must submit an Indiana
Dental Hygienist License.
Watch the video and complete the quiz to earn 3 CE credits.
Dental Assisting School of Indianapolis has partnered with DOCS Education through an
affiliation of Dental Science, a CODA-accredited program at Idaho State University College of
Health in order to offer the Nitrous Oxide Administration course for Indiana Hygienists and
Assistants.
The cost for the course is $299