ºÚÁÏÉç

The dental facility is not required to close for the review.

However, the anesthesiologist or FPA may require assistance from dental facility managers or delegated staff to complete the practice environment assessment.

Sometimes, an onsite assessment is required. The peer assessor may request to conduct the assessment in person or virtually using an online platform.

There is no cost for dental facility or owner when an anesthesiologist or FPA undergoes a PPEP assessment.

Costs for couriering medical records to the ºÚÁÏÉç for review or other assessment information is the responsibility of the anesthesiologist or FPA participating in the assessment.

The ºÚÁÏÉç’s goal is to limit the disruption to the dental facility’s routine activities.

The ºÚÁÏÉç may require dental facility staff to support some of the assessment process components like:

Emergency cart review

The assessment includes the review of the emergency cart for purposes of procedural sedation. This will require the anesthesiologist or FPA to provide sample pictures and documentation of the equipment and supplies. If there are deficiencies in this area, a video conference review of the emergency cart may be required to confirm the required components. The anesthesiologist or FPA may ask dental facility staff to assist with completing this component.

Dental chart review

During the peer assessment, the anesthesiologist or FPA is asked to submit photocopies of selected dental charts to the ºÚÁÏÉç. The anesthesiologist or FPA may ask dental facility staff for help with the anesthesia chart entries.

The PPEP cannot provide information or recommendations on the compensation of dental facility staff time that may be required to help facilitate the assessment.

The review of the dental aspects of care is out-of-scope for this assessment.

The goal of PPEP is to provide anesthesiologists and FPAs with information on their practice, provide guidance, and support them in making necessary changes to ensure patients receive safe care. Any deficiencies that are not corrected could result in an anesthesiologist or FPA not being able to practise in a facility.

We encourage anesthesiologists and FPAs to work with the dental facility owner to identify any gaps before the practice environment assessment and review all of the following:

NHMSFAP accreditation standards

• Anesthesia
• Class 1 General Anesthesia Facility Emergency Cart
• Class 2 IV Sedation/Analgesia Facility Emergency Cart
• IV Procedural Sedation and Analgesia for Adults
• Malignant Hyperthermia
• Pediatric Emergency Cart
• Post-anesthesia Care

Guide document

• Accreditation Standards for Anesthesia Services in Dental Facilities

Any areas for improvement identified by the anesthesiology peer assessor is provided to the anesthesiologist or FPA for their review. In some cases, the information may be reviewed with the PPE panel.

At the end of the assessment, the anesthesiologist or FPA receives a report outlining the opportunities for improvement and additional support. They are expected to correct any deficiencies. Failure to do so may limit the anesthesiologist or FPA's ability to continue to practice in that facility. 

The assessment process is confidential and educational. Only the anesthesiologist or FPA has access to the final assessment.

The PPEP does not report anything to the provincial health officer or medical health officer unless there is a risk of significant harm to public health and safety, as per the Health Professions Act.