The ADA released updated guidelines for the use of sedation and general anesthesia by dentists and for teaching pain control and sedation -- the first comprehensive revision in nearly a decade.
Developed by experts from eight dental and medical organizations and adopted by the ADA House of Delegates in October 2025, the updated guidelines for use include:
- Revised American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status and fasting recommendations
- More precise documentation for weight-based dosing
- The addition of body mass index to baseline vital signs
- A recommendation for supplemental oxygen for moderate sedation through general anesthesia
The guidelines also set new expectations for emergency preparedness and documented protocols with regular training drills. The updated teaching guidelines align with current Commission on Dental Accreditation standards and outline educational requirements for minimal and moderate sedation.
Both guidelines are available to state dental boards as resources for determining education and competency regulations and are available at the ADA's website.
Additionally, the ADA is working on pediatric-specific sedation guidelines. Until those are adopted, the ADA supports the American Academy of Pediatrics/American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's monitoring and management guidelines for pediatric patients undergoing sedation.
