Brazilian dentist sedation regulation dispute

In late July 2026 Brazil's Federal Council of Dentistry (CFO) issued Resolution 295/2026, overhauling sedation rules for dental practice. The new framework introduced Basic and Advanced qualification levels, mandated extensive training, supervision and biennial life‑support certification, and allowed dentists to administer sedation ranging from minimal to deep, while expressly prohibiting general anesthesia. A transition clause let existing practitioners apply for the new habilitation based on documented experience.

Within days, major medical bodies – the Federal Council of Medicine, the Brazilian Medical Association and the Brazilian Society of Anesthesiology – publicly condemned the resolution. They argued that sedation is a medical act requiring higher qualifications, announced plans to seek a court injunction and to file complaints with the federal prosecutor, and pledged to challenge the rule legally. The CFO defended the measure as scientifically and legally grounded, emphasizing its patient‑safety intent.