Hawaii passes stricter dental sedation law

A new law requires the Hawaii State Board of Dental Examiners to perform onsite inspections prior to permitting dentists to perform general anesthesia, deep sedation, or moderate sedation.

The law was signed by Gov. David Ige on July 10. It intends to make anesthesia and sedation in the state safer with three new requirements:

1. Dental offices that administer general anesthesia, deep sedation, or moderate sedation must display the contact information for the consumer resource center so patients can verify that a dentist is licensed and permitted to administer anesthesia.
2. The requirements to administer general anesthesia, deep sedation, or moderate sedation must be specified in advance of issuing a permit.
3. The dental board is required to conduct onsite inspections of dental offices, equipment, and personnel before licensing or renewing permits to administer general anesthesia, deep sedation, or moderate sedation.

The law, known as Finley's Law, was supported by the mother of 3-year-old Finley Boyle who died in 2014 after undergoing extensive dental procedures, likely because of the drugs used to sedate her, according to the medical examiner. The dentist who performed the procedures was indicted for manslaughter and her practice closed, and the state now requires dentists to have advanced training in sedation and experience handling emergencies.