Monitoring Nitrous Oxide

In North Carolina, for a DA II (dental assistant or dental hygienist) to monitor patients under nitrous oxide, the DA II must successfully complete a North Carolina Board-approved seven-hour course in nitrous oxide-oxygen conscious sedation.

If your office is looking for a North Carolina Board-approved course on monitoring nitrous oxide, I provide certification courses that meet the requirements of the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners. Courses that I provide are affordable, are done onsite at your dental office, and allow the participants to obtain their training from a past educator with 25 + years of educational experience.

To learn more about the certification course on monitoring nitrous oxide, please see the information below. The links provide additional course information.

If you have any further questions or would like to set up a certification course on monitoring nitrous oxide, please feel free to get in touch with me.

Course Description
Successful Completion
Overall Course Goal
Course Learning Objectives
Didactic Outline
Lab Outline

Course Description

This program is designed to meet the educational requirements set by the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners for dental assistants or dental hygienists to monitor the administration of nitrous oxide.

Successful Completion

Following the completion of this course, the participate will complete a certification test. To achieve certification in monitoring nitrous oxide, the participant must successfully pass a certification test with a grade of 75 or higher.

Overall Course Goal

To monitor nitrous oxide sedation, dental personnel must understand the principles associated with the use of nitrous oxide.

Course Learning Objectives

After completion of the didactic and clinical sessions, the participant will be able to:

  1. Describe the physiological and psychological aspects of pain and anxiety.
  2. Discuss the pharmacological properties associated with nitrous oxide.
  3. Discuss the influence/interaction of nitrous oxide on major body systems.
  4. Discuss the advantages, disadvantages, indications, and contraindications associated with the use of nitrous oxide.
  5. Demonstrate the technique used to initiate and terminate the use of nitrous oxide during a sedation procedure.
  6. Associate the operational components on the nitrous oxide sedation unit with their function.
  7. Recognize the signs and symptoms associated with the use of nitrous oxide.
  8. Recognize and manage potential complications associated with nitrous oxide sedation.



Course Outline

Didactic/classroom portion:

  • Nitrous oxide sedation
    • Definition
    • North Carolina laws governing the monitoring of nitrous oxide
  • Terminology associated with pain, fear, and anxiety
  • Management of pain and anxiety
    • Non-invasive, non-pharmacological procedures
    • Invasive, pharmacological procedures
  • Respiratory and cardiovascular anatomy
    • Cardiovascular system
    • Respiratory system
    • Blood flow and air exchange
  • General anesthesia
    • Definition
    • Consciousness vs. unconsciousness
    • Stages of general anesthesia
  • Main uses of nitrous oxide
  • Advantages of nitrous oxide sedation
  • Disadvantages of nitrous oxide sedation
  • Properties of the gases used in nitrous oxide sedation
    • Oxygen
    • Nitrous oxide
  • Effect of nitrous oxide on the central nervous system, other body systems, and tissues
  • Indications for use
  • Contraindications for use
  • Patient assessment and preparation
    • Health history
    • Communication
    • Patient monitoring
    • Vital signs
    • Chart documentation
  • Armamentarium
    • Available delivery systems
    • Components of central and portable delivery systems
    • Safety features
  • Methods to control waste gases
  • Administration technique
  • Patient monitoring
  • Signs and symptoms associated with the administration of nitrous oxide
  • Post-procedural chart documentation
  • Procedural complications and management
  • Additional issues associated with the use of nitrous oxide
  • Review of North Carolina laws governing the monitoring of nitrous oxide




Course Outline

Laboratory portion:

  • Armamentarium
    • Identification of the nitrous oxide delivery system
    • Components of the nitrous oxide delivery system
    • Controlling waste gases
    • Safety features
  • Patient assessment and preparation
    • Health history
    • Communication
    • Vital signs
  • Administration technique
  • Patient monitoring
  • Procedure completion
  • Chart documentation