State Laws Require Dentists to Have Backup Dental Suction
August 23, 2022
Dental patients must be protected in the event of a sudden power failure.
When you are performing oral surgery and sedation dentistry, an important part of your dental practice equipment is a functioning backup suction device. Not only is it important for your dental patient’s safety in case of a sudden power outage, but it is also required by law in most states of the US and many provinces in Canada.
Longer, more frequent power outages are afflicting the U.S. power grid, many caused by natural disasters and exacerbated by climate change and fragile energy grids.
Florida requires back-up dental suction equipment to be readily available
Florida Administrative Code, Rule 64B5-14.008(3)(f) requires: “General Anesthesia Permit applicants and permit holders shall comply with the following requirements at each location where anesthesia procedures are performed. The requirements shall be met and equipment permanently maintained and available at each location. Standard Equipment: The following equipment must be readily available to the operatory and recovery room and maintained in good working order: Suction with backup suction…”
The State of Minnesota requires dentists to have a backup suction device on-hand
Minnesota Administrative Rules, 3100.3600 Subpart 22.B.(3), directs: “Dentists who administer general anesthesia, deep sedation, or moderate sedation or who provide dental services to patients under general anesthesia, deep sedation, or moderate sedation must ensure that the offices in which it is conducted have: a functional suctioning device and a backup suction device.”
Texas mandates that dental practitioners have a backup suction device
Texas Administrative Code, Title 22 Part 5 Chapter 110 Rule §110.15(b)(5)(E), mandates: “Consistent with the requirements of §§110.3 – 110.6 of this chapter (relating to Sedation and Anesthesia), as applicable to the procedure, at any time a permit holder administers sedation/anesthesia the permit holder must have immediately available: appropriate monitors and equipment for the type of sedation/anesthesia administered, including but not limited to: suction equipment which permits aspiration of the oral and pharyngeal cavities and a backup suction device which will function in the event of a general power failure.”
Many Provinces of Canada also require a backup dental suction device
According to the College of Dental Surgeons of British Columbia, one of the standards of practice in relation to inducing deep sedation while providing dental services in British Columbia is “bedside suction must be available for every patient in both the operating room and recovery areas. Because of the possibility of a power failure, central medical gas system failure, or equipment malfunction, appropriate backup must be available to provide light, suction, and oxygen.”
Requirements for backup dental suction in the US and Canada are in place to ensure that patients are protected in the event of an electiral power outage during a dental procedure.
How will you comply with the requirement for backup dental suction in your state or province?
Check your state laws today. If you don’t know how to find the regulations for your state, contact your state dental board and they can assist you. Here is a link to the contact information for all the state dental boards in the US. For Canadian dental professionals, check with your provincial dental board for specifics. Here is a directory of Canadian Dental Regulatory Authorities & Provincial/Territorial Associations
The Aseptico® AA-20 Portable Saliva Ejector is an easy, affordable, reliable backup suction system
Great for mobile dentistry or as a backup for sedation dentistry, the Aseptico AA-20 Portable Dental Saliva Ejector can be powered by a wall outlet, 12V source, or rechargeable battery pack. The unit provides up to 60 minutes of continuous operation so you can complete your case safely in the event of a power outage.
The Aseptico® AA-20 Portable Dental Saliva Ejector provides adjustable pressure suction capable of a 50 mm Hg up to 500 mm Hg vacuum range. It is battery-powered and also includes an AC wall plug adapter and a DC car lighter adapter for charging. With an 800 ml collection container capacity, and approximately 60 minutes of continuous operation (with a fully charged battery), the Aseptico® AA-20 Portable Dental Saliva Ejector provides enough battery-powered suction so you can complete your case safely in the event of a power outage.
Please contact Aseptico to order the AA-20 Portable Saliva Ejector today to ensure you can comply with the backup suction requirement in your state. Call 425-408-9347 for friendly and professional service, or shop online today.