Update on Conscious Sedation for Dentists

Course overview

Introduction

The ability to provide safe and effective conscious sedation is a great attribute for a dental team. Patients with a real fear of dentistry or with other conditions which make it difficult for them to be treated under LA alone rightfully expect conscious sedation to be available. Conscious sedation is an integral element of the control of pain and anxiety in the delivery of dental care. In dentistry, it has an excellent record of safety – this is the result of a long history of effective knowledge, skills and experience-based training and regular CPD. This course provides an update specifically for dentists providing dental care under conscious sedation. Details of the training requirements for IV and inhalational sedation can be found in ‘Standards for Conscious Sedation in the Provision of Dental Care’ (IACSD 2020) and dentists providing sedation need to demonstrate 12 hours of sedation CPD in each 5-year cycle.

Learning Content

Conscious Sedation Presentations:

• Assessment and treatment planning for sedation – histories, examination, airway assessment, screening assessments, consent, escort and patient information
• Inhalation sedation update – pharmacodynamics, advantages & disadvantages, indications and contraindications, equipment, clinical technique, monitoring, risks and complications
• Intravenous sedation update – pharmacodynamics, advantages & disadvantages, indications and contraindications, equipment, clinical technique, monitoring, risks and complications
• Transmucosal sedation update – oral and intranasal techniques using midazolam, techniques and protocols of use
• Sedation Complications – cannulation problems, under and over sedation, interactions, monitoring
• Q & A – open session to answer questions and help with any workplace sedation queries

Demonstrations and Practical Skills Training:

• Blood pressure, pulse and monitoring equipment demonstration and practice
• Inhalation sedation machine – video demonstration and practical checking, calibration and technique
• Cannulation technique – demonstration and simulated practice
• Supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula – demonstration and practi