“This CE Course is a Gas!” Ensuring the Safe and Effective Delivery of Nitrous Oxide: Failsafes

Nitrous oxide – oxygen inhalation sedation continues to be the safest modality dentists have in providing in office sedation. As the late Dr. John Yageila is often quoted, “there has never been a death in a dental office, while dentistry is being done and nitrous oxide is the sole sedative being used.” While the drug itself is extremely safe, manufacturers continue to develop additional fail safes to help insure the safe delivery of this gas. This program reviews the nitrous oxide delivery system safety features currently in use.

• Discuss the twelve specific safety features inherent to all nitrous oxide – oxygen delivery systems
• Understand why the safest action is to simply remove the mask from the patient when a system failure is suspected
• Learn how to keep your office safe with a strategy for daily inspection and testing of your nitrous oxide – oxygen delivery system
• Recognize the different types of system failures that have occurred over the years and the solutions which have been implemented to avoid future concerns
• Appreciate the overall safety of nitrous oxide – oxygen inhalational sedation and how to counsel and advise staff on mitigating and recognizing any potential system failures

The speaker declares that neither he nor any member of his family has a financial arrangement or affiliation with any corporate offering financial support of grant monies for this CE program. Although commercially available products may be discussed, no financial arrangements exist between those companies and the speaker.