SECTION 195:20-1-2. Definitions  


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  •   The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meaning, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. These words and terms are as defined in the Guidelines for "Teaching the Comprehensive Control of Pain and Anxiety in Dentistry," approved by the American Dental Association.
    "Analgesia" means the diminution or elimination of pain in the conscious patient. The conscious patient is defined as one with intact protective reflexes; including the ability to maintain an airway, and who is capable of rational response to questions or command.
    "Anxiolysis" means the diminution or elimination of anxiety.
    "Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)" means any person who holds a valid license to practice as a registered nurse in Oklahoma and who administers anesthesia under the supervision of a licensed dentist as defined by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing Practice Act (Title 59 O.S. Section 567.1 et.seq.).
    "Combination inhalation-enteral conscious sedation" (combined conscious sedation) means conscious sedation using inhalation and enteral agents except when the only intent is anxiolysis.
    "Conscious sedation" means a minimally depressed level of consciousness that retains the patient's ability to independently and continuously maintain an airway and respond appropriately to physical stimulation or verbal command, produced by a pharmacologic or non-pharmacologic method, or combination thereof. The caveat that loss of consciousness should be unlikely is a particularly important aspect of the definition of conscious sedation, and the drugs and techniques utilized should carry a margin of safety wide enough to render unintended loss of consciousness highly unlikely.
    "Deep sedation" means a controlled state of depressed consciousness, accompanied by partial or complete loss of protective reflexes, including the inability to independently maintain an airway and respond purposefully to physical stimulation or verbal command, produced by a pharmacologic or non-pharmacologic method, or a combination thereof.
    "Direct Supervision" means the dentist responsible for the sedation/anesthesia procedure shall be physically present in the office and shall be continuously aware of the patient's physical status and well being.
    "Enteral" means any technique of administration in which the agent is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract (oral, rectal, sublingual).
    "General anesthesia" means a controlled state of unconsciousness, accompanied by partial or complete loss of protective reflexes, including inability to independently maintain an airway and respond purposefully to physical stimulation or verbal command, produced by a pharmacologic or non-pharmacologic method, or a combination thereof.
    "Parenteral" means a technique of administration in which the drug bypasses the gastrointestinal tract and includes intramuscular (IM), intravenous (IV), intranasal (IN), submucosal (SM), subcutaneous (SC), or intraocular (IO).
[Source: Amended at 14 Ok Reg 1547, eff 7-1-97; Amended at 17 Ok Reg 1873, eff 7-1-00]