I am concerned with the current proposed wording of the amendment, as it is a potentially good use of staff and resources to allow certain established/experienced vet assistants to help with monitoring anesthesia.

We are a progressive and busy 24-hr clinic.  We have several highly trained LVTs but within the past year we altered our policies to have a vet assistant (VA) to be on board with every dental prophy procedure because the task of monitoring, along with performing the procedure a patient is anesthetized for, we felt opened up too much liability for a single person.  Anesthesia is probably the most liable time that any patient is subjected to, and for a vast majority of that time during the most important moments (induction & recovery) the veterinarian may not be directly present; rather instructions have been given to an LVT after a pre-sedation exam (at this point the vet is often in the office, on the phone, etc.).

We only delegate this task of helping the LVT to particular assistants who we feel are capable and trustworthy, and at most they are an additional set of hands for the LVT to direct about bagging patient, adjusting the flowmeter or gas, etc., while they record the stats on the surgery flowsheet, allowing ultimately a faster/more efficient procedure. 

This is also an excellent opportunity for learning for some of these assistants, many of whom have aspirations for LVT education themselves.  I propose that certain assistants, at the judgement of the veterinarian, be allowed to assist with anesthesia monitoring for at least the dental procedures due to the LVT's direct responsibility to perform the prophy.  Thank you.