A bill proposed in the Washington state legislature would prohibit dentists from performing deep sedations and dental procedures simultaneously, according to a Feb. 2 report from FOX 13 Seattle.
SB 6183 would require a multiprovider system with one individual sedating and monitoring the patient and another performing the procedure.
In the last two years, there have been three patient deaths in dental offices from procedures that were not life-threatening surgeries, said state Sen. Jeff Holy, who sponsored the bill.
Anesthesiology professionals support the bill while dentists and oral surgeons are opposed, claiming there are safeguard regulations already in place.
The bill is currently in the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee for review.
