Probably from the dawn of human existence there have been painful teeth and, very likely, the desire to avoid or clear the pain. For thousands of years man would have had to either suffer continuous pain, try to extract, or get someone else to extract the teeth in very crude ways without the use of any analgesia or anaesthesia. In the 15th century, the dental profession developed from barber surgeons and, for as long as there have been dentists, there have been people who have been afraid of any dental procedures.
Sedation is a technique that many dentists utilise to help anxious, extremely nervous or phobic patients. In the BDA Guidance notes, sedation is defined as; “A technique in which the use of a drug or drugs produces a state of depression of the nervous system enabling treatment to be carried out, but during which verbal contact with the patient is maintained throughout the period of sedation”.
Tempdent have been delivering the Certificate in Dental Sedation Nursing course since 2012. Like all other qualifications, since compulsory registration in 2008, the GDC has been specific in the scope of dental nursing and, for any additional or specific roles that a nurse has to carry out they must undergo further training to ensure that the duty can safely carried out without supervision of another qualified registrant. This is fulfilled by completing a record of the specific duties they need to perform which is witnessed and signed with constructive feedback by an appropriate registrant. With the NEBDN course, this is a Record of Competence and in the last 2 years, this has been split into 2 awards. One is for intravenous sedation and the other for inhalation sedation. To qualify for either, there is an examination which is taken to validate either or both of the qualifications once the Record of Competence is completed and moderated as meeting standards.
In 2015, the latest guidelines were published by the Intercollegiate Advisory Committee for Sedation in Dentistry (IACSD) which set the benchmark for Dental Sedation Nurses and which must be reflected in the standards of all training programmes. These standards state that all members of the delivery and care team must have undertaken appropriate validated education and training and demonstrated an acceptable level of competence by means of a robust assessment process.
The Record of Competence (RoC) is a work-based document which requires the feedback for validation from an appropriate registered witness. An agreement is signed between the awarding body, the training provider and the employer to ensure the candidate is fulfilling the standards and requirements to best practice. The requirements for this will vary depending on which qualification the candidate is registered for but, in all cases, there are four sections to the Record of Competence:
- Practical Competence Assessment Sheets (PCAS)
- Case Studies
- Directly Observed Clinical Skills (DOCS) Assessments
- Supplementary Outcomes
For those who only assist with inhalation sedation there is the Award in Inhalation Sedation Dental Nursing. For those who only assist with intravenous sedation there is the Award in Intravenous Sedation Nursing. For both awards there are supplementary outcomes too:
If the candidate assists in a general practice for both specialisms, both RoC’s can be completed and a pass in the examination will validate both to become the full Certificate in Dental Sedation Nursing.
Candidates are required to pass the exam to validate either awards or the full certificate. The examination only has to be passed once.
BDA guidance for training states that Dental Nurses who assist with conscious sedation for dentistry should be trained to the standards of the Certificate on Dental Sedation Nursing from the NEBDN. It is ideal to hold the Certificate, but it is appropriate to utilise any nurse provided he/she has undergone a course of training that covers the syllabus. The syllabus referred to is syllabus 5 in the intercollegiate document. This report and syllabus has been produced following extensive research into the many complications and even deaths that have followed sedation patients over the years. It sets out clear indications to help protect patients and the integrity of the professionals who aid patients in giving these anxiety alleviating procedures.
Our next Post Registration face to face Dental Sedation course starts on the 28th October for more information click here.
This is what do our students say:
“I have found each session very interesting. The tutor, Jane is always ready for a lesson she provides a lot of handouts. She manages class very well and keeps subject interesting.”
“Very good induction day and very helpful. Jane has answered to all questions and she gave us useful information, supportive and very approachable, very relaxed and easy to talk to.”
Tempdent also offers other post registration course which include: Oral Health Education Certificate, Certificate in Dental Radiography, Orthodontic Nursing Post-Registration Qualification. For more information click here.
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