Dental Care Professionals

Aim of the Programme:

This programme is designed to equip the registered dental nurse with the knowledge and skills required to work as a second appropriate person during the delivery of intravenous sedation by a competent operator. The qualification is suitable for registered dental nurses who work in a setting that delivers intravenous sedation.

Expected Learning Outcomes:

1. On completion of the programme, the candidate should be able to:
2. Define the role of the dental nurse during the pre-operative visit, the sedation visit and post-operative care.
3. Explain the current legislation and professional guidance relevant to intravenous sedation.
4. Explain the anatomy and physiology relevant to intravenous sedation.
5. Explain the pharmacology of intravenous sedation drugs.
6. Demonstrate recognition and management of medical emergencies including sedation related complications.

This programme will be delivered in a blended format, comprising of attendance of 8 online study sessions and two in-person sessions.  Attendance at all study days is mandatory.

Candidates are provided with guidance and instructions to access online study days which will consist of teaching, assessment, and portfolio work. Deadlines for submitting assessments will be provided throughout the programme.

• To enable candidates to participate in all aspects of this programme and assessments, they will require:
• A laptop or computer with a webcam and microphone
• Access to the internet, with broadband connection
• Access to Microsoft Teams
• Microsoft Word
• A quiet area without interruptions to concentrate on studies for example: attendance to online study days and completion of assessments

Candidates will be required to successfully complete the programme’s assessment to be awarded the Professional Development Award (PDA) in Intravenous Sedation for Dental Nurses

The assessments for this qualification are detailed below:

Written Report

The candidate will produce a 1500-word report based on your research into current legislation and professional guidance relating to conscious sedation. The report should identify how the candidates dental practice follows the legislation/guidance, including training/CPD of staff. All research relating to guidance and legislation must be accurately cited and referenced.

This report will cover the evidence requirements for outcome 2.

Patient Logs

The candidate will complete 30 Intravenous Sedation Patient logs:

• 10 pre-operative patient logs
• 10 sedation visit patient logs
• 10 post-operative patient logs

These logs must record their involvement with patients treated under Inhalation sedation.

All logs must be signed by a clinical supervisor, whom the candidate was assisting with treatment.

The patient logs will meet the evidence requirements for Outcome 1.

Written Assessment

The candidate will complete a closed book written assessment on outcomes 1,3,4 and 5 consisting of multiple-choice questions, short answer and extended answer questions. The pass mark is 65%.

Simulations

The candidate will demonstrate the recognition and management of medical emergencies including sedation related complications under simulated assessment conditions and demonstrate use of pulse oximetry and taking blood pressure.

The simulations will meet evidence requirements for outcome 1, outcome 5 and outcome 5.

Assessments have been created in line with the Qualification Scotland unit.

Assessments have been created in line with Qualification Scotland unit specification https://www.sqa.org.uk/files/hn/HT8V35.pdf

Inclusive education is an approach which recognises and values diversity to allow the diverse learning needs and preferences of individual candidates to be identified and addresses at the earliest opportunity.

We aim to deliver education and training in a way that is inclusive to all candidates, to ensure every candidate has a positive learning experience and outcome.

Public Service Delivery Scotland will actively identify and where possible remove barriers and make reasonable adjustments to learning and assessments.

The charge for this course is £180.00 along with a current Qualifications Scotland registration fee of £13.00.  

To apply to undertake the programme, applicants must:

1. Have current registration with the General Dental Council (GDC).
2. Be working as a dental nurse in a dental setting that delivers intravenous sedation on a frequent basis, delivered by competent operator, to     access the relevant practical experience to meet the assessment requirements of this qualification.
3. Be able to attend every study day and complete all requirements of this qualification within the duration of the programme.
4. Have the support of their workplace to undertake this qualification.

SDCEP Conscious sedation in dentistry: Conscious sedation | Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness

IACSD (Intercollegiate Advisory Committee for Sedation in Dentistry):  IACSD 2020.pdf

NICE:  Sedation in under 19s: using sedation for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures

AoMRC (Updated 2021): Safe_sedation_practice_for_healthcare_procedures_update_0521.pdf

Resuscitation Council UK: 2025 Resuscitation Guidelines | Resuscitation Council UK

Basic Guide to Dental Sedation Nursing, Nicola Rogers, 2020:   ISBN: 978-1-119-52577-6

Conscious Sedation for Dentistry, Girdler, Hill & Wilson, 2017:   ISBN: 978-1-119-27450-6