Dentists in the Canadian province of Alberta are no longer allowed to administer deep sedation or general anesthesia to patients while performing dental treatments, according to a revised policy set by the Alberta Dental Association and College.
The change came after a 4-year-old girl sustained permanent brain damage after being placed under general anesthesia by Edmonton, Alberta, dentist William Mather, DDS, during a caries restoration procedure on September 7, according to a CBC News story.
The child, Amber Athwal, was taken to Glenrose Hospital in Edmonton, where she remains unconscious, CBC News reported. The association is investigating the case, and Dr. Mather is not permitted to administer deep sedation or anesthesia during the ongoing investigation, according to the story.
The change could help improve safety, health officials said. The dental association's CEO, Dr. Randall Croutze, said in a release that the organization began reviewing sedation practices a year ago.
