1. Learn home
  2. Dental CPD
  3. Educational Resources
  4. CPD Resources
  5. Dental Inhalation Sedation

Dental Inhalation Sedation

Add to favourites

Public Services Scotland (PSD) facilitates a Dental Inhalation Sedation course once a year which is open to Dentists and Dental Therapists 

Aims and Learning Outcomes
Graphic of Aims and Learning Outcomes

Aims

The aim of this Inhalation Sedation Course is to equip dental professionals with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in conscious sedation, focusing on safe, effective, and patient-centred care. Participants will develop a thorough understanding of sedation principles, patient assessment, anxiety management, equipment operation, and procedural techniques to enhance their competence and confidence in delivering inhalation sedation within the PDS clinic or dental practice.

Learning Outcomes

  • Define conscious sedation and explain its indications, scope, and regulatory frameworks in dental settings.
  • Recognise and manage dental anxiety using both non-pharmacological and behavioural approaches, including effective patient communication.
  • Conduct comprehensive patient assessments, including ASA classification, IOSN considerations, clinical examination, baseline observations, and informed consent documentation.
  • Describe the properties, history, advantages, and disadvantages of nitrous oxide sedation, and understand staffing roles and responsibilities.
  • Identify and operate the components and safety features of the inhalation sedation machine, including the scavenging system, through hands-on practice.
  • Demonstrate the steps for sedating a patient, including surgery setup, pre-sedation checks, administration of sedation, titration principles, and patient reassurance.
  • Monitor patients during sedation procedures, maintain accurate records, adhere to legal standards, and recognise and manage potential complications.

GDC Development outcomes:

(A) Effective Communication
(B) Effective Management
(C) Knowledge & Skills Development
(D) Maintaining Patient Confidence

Course Dates and Locations
Graphic of a calendar

Inverness Cohort

  • UHI House, INVERNESS - Friday 13th November 2026 - In Person Lecture and Hands on Workshops
  • UHI House, INVERNESS - Monday 16th November 2026 - Hands on sedation based medical emergencies
  • ONLINE Microsoft Teams - Friday 5th March 2027 - Case Based Discussion

Glasgow Cohort

  • Glasgow Dental Education Centre, GLASGOW - Wednesday 18th November 2026 - In Person Lecture and Hands on Workshops
  • Glasgow Dental Education Centre, GLASGOW - Monday 16th November 2026 - Hands on sedation based medical emergencies
  • ONLINE Microsoft Teams - Wednesday 10th March 2027 - Case Based Discussion
Course costs and CPD Award
Payment Graphic

General Dental Practitioners will attend 3 days attracting 17 hours vCPD and the maximum 6 sessions of CPDA.  The fee for the course will be £450.00

Public Dental Service dentists will attend 2 days attracting 11 hours vCPD.  Salaried dentists are not eligible for CPDA payments.  The course fee will be £300.00.  If a PDS dentist wishes to attend the medical emergencies course, then their course fee would be the same as a that for GDS dentists £450.00.

PDS Dental Therapists will attend 2 days attracting 11 hours vCPD. The course fee will be £200.00.  If PDS Dental Therapist wishes to attend the medical emergencies course, their course fee will be £300.00.

How do I apply?
Course Prospectus

Step 1

Course Prospectus, please read this in advance of applying for this course as it contains essential information.

Link to Information Checklist on Preparing for IS Sedation in Practice

Step 2

Preparing for IS Sedation in Practice, information Checklist for Dentists New to Dental IS Sedation

Link to Glasgow Course Application Form

Step 3 - GLASGOW
Link to Inverness Course Application Form

Step 3 - INVERNESS

Course Application Form, Please select whether you want to apply for the Glasgow or Inverness course

Link to the Guide to Sedation Online Documents

Step 4

Guide to Sedation Online Documents, after completing the course, you can bookmark this Sway where all your online documents are hosted for your portfolio.

Pre Course Reading
Pre Course Reading
Review
  • Published September 2018
  • Last Reviewed June 2026
  • Next Review Due June 2028