Phone to discuss the list date, setting, procedures and patients. Patient health information is then shared through a secure channel, the anaesthetist assesses each patient before the day, and patients receive their own consent and fee information. In Victoria, anaesthesia in a dental practice is provided through a mobile anaesthetic service regulated by the Department of Health.
How engagement works
- Initial discussion. Contact the rooms with the proposed date, the setting (your practice, a day surgery or a hospital), the types of procedures, the expected duration and the number of patients.
- Patient information. Send each patient's details and relevant medical history through the secure method agreed with you. Please do not use the website enquiry form for patient information.
- Pre-anaesthetic assessment. The anaesthetist reviews each patient before the day. Some patients may be advised to have treatment in a hospital or day surgery instead.
- Consent and fees. The anaesthetist explains the anaesthetic or sedation, its risks and alternatives, and the anaesthetic fee, directly with the patient or their parent or guardian. The anaesthetic fee is separate from your fees.
- The day. The anaesthetist is responsible for the anaesthetic or sedation, monitoring and recovery, and for deciding when each patient is ready to be discharged into the care of a responsible adult.
- Afterwards. Any anaesthetic concerns are communicated to you and, where relevant, to the patient's GP.
Regulation in Victoria
The Victorian Department of Health regulates mobile anaesthetic services that provide anaesthesia in places that are not registered health service establishments, such as dental practices. An approval in principle is required before a mobile health service is set up. The Department publishes an information sheet for dentists using mobile anaesthesia and guidance on mobile anaesthetic services, including an agreement template between the service and the practice. The arrangements that apply to each list are confirmed with the practice before the list starts.
The Australian Dental Association’s policy on general anaesthesia in dentistry states that the anaesthetic must be administered by an appropriately qualified and registered practitioner, in line with ANZCA guidelines and state regulations. Its policy on conscious sedation in dentistry covers sedation provided by dentists.
Facility, equipment and staff
ANZCA’s professional documents set out what is needed wherever anaesthesia or sedation is given, including PS55 (minimum facilities), PG18 (monitoring during anaesthesia) and PG09(G) (procedural sedation). Before a first list in a practice, expect to discuss:
- the treatment room: space around the chair, access, lighting and power
- oxygen, suction and the monitoring to be used
- resuscitation equipment and emergency medicines
- a recovery area and staff trained to care for patients as they wake
- the plan for transfer to hospital in an emergency, including ambulance access
- record-keeping, and who is responsible for each part of the patient’s care.
Patient selection
Many patients are suitable for sedation or anaesthesia in a well-equipped practice, but some are better treated in hospital. Please mention these when you refer, so they can be discussed before booking:
- significant heart, lung, kidney or liver disease
- obstructive sleep apnoea, or heavy snoring with daytime sleepiness
- obesity
- previous difficulty with anaesthesia or airway management, or a family history of serious reactions to anaesthesia
- diabetes, particularly if treated with insulin
- GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines (weekly or daily injections for diabetes or weight management), which have specific peri-procedural recommendations
- blood-thinning medicines
- pregnancy
- young children, and patients with complex disability or behavioural needs
- a recent respiratory infection
- patients who need a professional interpreter.
None of these automatically rules a patient out. They help the anaesthetist decide on the safest setting.
What to include in a referral
- Patient name, date of birth and contact details, and parent or guardian details for children
- The planned treatment and expected duration
- Proposed date and setting
- Medical history, medicines and allergies, as known to the practice
- Relevant letters or results
- Whether an interpreter is needed
- The contact person at your practice
Information for your patients
You are welcome to send patients to our guides on preparing for anaesthesia, fasting and dental anaesthesia and sleep dentistry. Printable patient handouts will be added to patient resources after clinical review.
The Australian Dental Anaesthetic Group
Dr Aly’s 2024 CV records that he founded The Australian Dental Anaesthetic Group. The group has a LinkedIn organisation page.
Sources
- Victorian Department of Health. Mobile anaesthetic services (approval in principle for a mobile health service). Updated 12 Jun 2026.
- Victorian Department of Health. Information for dentists and interventional radiologists using mobile anaesthesia. 13 May 2019.
- ANZCA. Professional documents (including PS55 facilities, PG18 monitoring, PS19 monitored care, PS04(A) post-anaesthesia care, PG29(A) children). Accessed 2 Nov 2026.
- ANZCA. PG09(G) Guideline on procedural sedation. Dec 2023.
- ANZCA. PG07 Guideline on pre-anaesthesia consultation and patient preparation (2024; Appendix 1, Fasting, revised June 2026). June 2024; Appendix 1 June 2026.
- Australian Dental Association. Policy Statement 6.32: General anaesthesia in dentistry. June 2025.
- Australian Dental Association. Policy Statement 6.17: Conscious sedation in dentistry. Amended 24 Apr 2026.
- ANZCA. GLP-1 receptor agonists: clinical practice recommendations (with patient information sheet). Recommendations Apr 2025; page modified 22 Oct 2026.
- Written by
- Altitude Creative, on behalf of Dr Walid Aly
- Clinical reviewer
- In progress
- Review date
- Clinical review in progress
- Next review due
- Set at clinical review
How we write, review and correct this information: editorial policy.
In an emergency, call 000. This information is general and does not replace advice from your treating practitioner.