This information includes sedation and general anesthesia updates and reminders to help oral health professionals stay informed and aligned with BCCOHP standards for sedation and general anesthesia.
Moderate sedation in-office assessments
As mentioned in our May 2025 email, more information about the rollout of moderate sedation assessments is below.
Mandatory in-office assessments will be starting in fall 2025. Phase one began in April 2022 with the assessment process for moderate sedation facilities in the form of a required compliance assessment (formerly known as
self-assessment).
In-office assessments
- BCCOHP will begin contacting facilities in August to start scheduling in-office assessments.
- The in-office assessment fee is $2,500. All fees can be found in Schedule “A” Fees.
- In-office assessments will be conducted by a registered nurse and/or dentist and a registered biomedical engineer and/or technologist; a physician assessor will be scheduled if the facility engages a physician.
- Once a facility has successfully completed in-office assessments, the owner will receive a confirmation letter and wall certificate and will be listed on BCCOHP’s Sedation and General Anesthesia Map.
Five-year assessment cycle
- The assessment cycle for moderate sedation facilities has been updated to five years.
- Facilities will enter this cycle after successfully completing their initial in-office assessment and being confirmed as fully compliant.
- Additional assessments may be required during the five-year period, depending on the findings.
The cycle will continue to repeat every five years as long as the facility offers moderate sedation services.
Withdrawal of sedation and general anesthesia services in non-hospital surgical facilities
We ask facility owners who withdraw from moderate sedation, deep sedation and/or general anesthesia services to inform BCCOHP within seven business days of doing so. The withdrawal form is available here >>
Facility sale and/or change in ownership
Below is information about requirements around the sale or change in ownership of a facility offering moderate sedation, deep sedation and/or general anesthesia.
Moderate sedation facilities
Facility owners must advise BCCOHP of ownership changes by emailing sedation@oralhealthbc.ca. A new compliance assessment may be required.
Deep sedation & general anesthesia facilities
When a deep sedation or general anesthesia facility is sold, both the vendor and purchaser must notify the sedation program. In most cases, the facility’s compliance status will end within 60 days of the sale, and the new owner must apply for an in-office compliance assessment as soon as possible.
However, if the Sedation & General Anesthesia Committee determines the sale does not warrant a new assessment (e.g., transfer to a holding company), the existing compliance status may remain in effect.
Basic life support requirements
Oral health professionals are reminded that all clinical sedation and/or general anesthesia staff, including minimal sedation, are required to have current basic life support (BLS) that is designed for health professionals, and the course must contain:
- bag-valve-mask
- hands-on components
- certification valid for no longer than 24 months
FAQs
Questions?
Please contact sedation@oralhealthbc.ca