1. (a) “Deep sedation" means a drug-induced depression of consciousness during which patients cannot be easily aroused but respond purposefully following repeated or painful stimulation. The ability to independently maintain ventilatory function might be impaired. Patients might require assistance in maintaining a patient airway, and spontaneous ventilation might be inadequate. Cardiovascular function is usually maintained.
2. (b) “Facility hosting permit” means a permit for a dental facility at which a qualified provider, other than the dentist holding the permit, administers general anesthesia, deep sedation, or moderate sedation, and the qualified provider brings additional anesthesia equipment, drugs, and supplies to the site beyond what is specified in Den 304.07(a).
3. (c) “Facility inspection” means an evaluation of a dental facility for either a facility permit or a facility hosting permit including inspection of equipment, drugs, and paperwork being supplied by the facility hosting an anesthesia qualified provider or for a qualified dentist delivering general anesthesia, deep sedation, and moderate sedation or for a qualified dentist delivering moderate sedation only.
4. (d) “Facility permit” means a permit for a dental facility at which the permit holder is a qualified dentist who administers general anesthesia, deep sedation, and moderate sedation, moderate sedation only, or moderate sedation with pediatric qualification at the same facility and maintains additional anesthesia equipment, drugs, and supplies on site as specified in Den 304.07.
5. (e) "General anesthesia" means a drug-induced loss of consciousness during which patients are not arousable, even by painful stimulation. The ability to independently maintain ventilatory function is often impaired. Patients often require assistance in maintaining a patent airway, and positive pressure ventilation might be required because of depressed spontaneous ventilation or drug-induced depression of neuromuscular function. Cardiovascular function might be impaired.
6. (f) “General anesthesia, deep sedation, and moderate sedation permit” means a permit issued by the office of professional licensure and certification (OPLC) authorizing a qualified dentist to administer general anesthesia, deep sedation, and moderate sedation at a permitted dental facility to patients of all ages.
7. (g) “Hosting dentist” means a dentist whose name is on a particular facility permit or facility hosting permit and therefore holds that permit and is responsible for that facility.
8. (h) “Minimal sedation”, formerly known as “anxiolysis”, means a minimally depressed level of consciousness, produced by a pharmacological method, that retains the patient’s ability to independently and continuously maintain an airway and respond normally to tactile stimulation and verbal command. Although cognitive function and coordination might be impaired, ventilatory and cardiovascular functions are unaffected. Patients whose only response is reflex withdrawal from repeated painful stimuli are not considered to be in a state of minimal sedation.
9. (i) "Moderate sedation”, formerly known as “conscious sedation”, means a drug-induced depression of consciousness during which patients respond purposefully to verbal commands, either alone or accompanied by light tactile stimulation. No interventions are required to maintain a patent airway, and spontaneous ventilation is adequate. Cardiovascular function is usually maintained.
10. (j) “Moderate sedation only permit” means a permit issued by the OPLC authorizing a qualified dentist to administer moderate sedation only at a permitted dental facility and only to patients 13 years of age and older.
11. (k) “Moderate sedation permit with pediatric qualification” means a permit issued by the OPLC authorizing a qualified dentist to administer moderate sedation only at a permitted dental facility to patients of all ages.
12. (l) “Operating dentist” means the dentist with the primary responsibility of performing a dental procedure while a separate qualified provider administers general anesthesia, deep sedation, or moderate sedation on the patient.
13. (m) “Pediatric minimal sedation permit” means a permit issued by the OPLC authorizing a dentist to administer minimal sedation only at a dental facility in the state of NH to patients under 13 years of age.
14. (n) “Qualified consultant” means a qualified provider contracted by the OPLC to serve as an advisory examiner to the board for determining compliance with the statutory and regulatory provisions of this chapter.
15. (o) “Qualified dentist” means a dentist with a permit to administer general anesthesia, deep sedation, and moderate sedation, moderate sedation only, or moderate sedation with pediatric qualification in the state of New Hampshire (NH).
16. (p) “Qualified provider” means a qualified dentist, a physician anesthesiologist licensed under RSA 329, or a nurse anesthetist licensed under RSA 326-B:18 delivering general anesthesia, deep sedation, or moderate sedation in dental facilities in the state of NH.
17. (q) “Simulated emergency management evaluation” means an evaluation of the applicant for a permit to administer deep sedation, general anesthesia, and moderate sedation, moderate sedation only, or moderate sedation with pediatric qualification on emergency management based on the protocols for emergencies outlined in Appendix 3 of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) “Office Anesthesia Evaluation Manual”, 9th Edition, revised 2018, available as noted in Appendix II.
18. (r) “Single dose” means an initial dose, a repeated dose, or a maintenance dose as recommended by the manufacturer guidelines as found in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “Online Label Repository” located at labels.fda.gov.

Source. #4298, eff 7-28-87; ss by #5110, eff 4-4-91, EXPIRED: 4-4-97 New. #6909, eff 12-9-98; ss by #7304, eff 6-9-00; amd by #8694, eff 7-27-06; ss by #8838, eff 3-9-07; ss by #9256, eff 9-10-08; ss by #10991, eff 12-9-15; ss by #14246, eff 8-3-25, EXPIRES: 8-3-35