Aims:

To provide Dental Nurses with the educational experience, including the knowledge, critical understanding, intellectual skills, practical skills and personal attitude to enable them to provide effective and safe conscious sedation for dental patients.

Objectives: On successful completion of the programme, dental nurses should be able to: • Demonstrate an understanding of the role of conscious sedation techniques in dentistry • Outline the range of control of pain and anxiety techniques • Appreciate the importance and influence that the patients’ general health may have on the use of conscious sedation • Demonstrate the knowledge to practice effective conscious sedation • Comply with contemporary guidance relating to the environment, facilities and equipment required for
conscious sedation • Demonstrate a critical understanding of the issues involved in the scientific basis of conscious sedation • List limitations, benefits and risks of conscious sedation techniques • Recognise own limitations, reflect on experiences and appreciate the need for continuing education • Explain the concept of multidisciplinary care of patients and teamwork • Assess patients who require conscious sedation for dentistry • Support the practice to ensure effective and safe conscious sedation • Assess recovery of patients from conscious sedation • Remain calm, decisive and purposeful whilst handling difficulties or complications • Empathise with patients and demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively with patients, parents,
carers and colleagues