Dental Sedation Nursing
Conscious Sedation plays a vital role in modern dentistry, enabling patients with anxiety or phobias to access essential dental care they might otherwise avoid. In the UK, sedation involves the administration of drugs via oral, inhalation, or intravenous routes. While these techniques help reduce anxiety, they can also produce significant side effects, making it essential for the dental team to recognise and manage these safely and effectively.
Course Overview
Dentrain Professionals Ltd offers a range of qualifications in Dental Sedation Nursing, designed to equip dental nurses with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to assist safely during sedation procedures.
What does the course include?
Record of Competence (RoC)
The RoC is a structured portfolio designed to demonstrate the learner’s competence in sedation procedures. It consists of four key components:
- Part A: Practical Competence Assessment Sheets (PCAS)
- Part B: Expanded Case Studies
- Part C: Directly Observed Clinical Skills Assessments (DOCS)
- Part D: Supplementary Outcomes (SO)
RoC Requirements
- Learners must have access to sedation procedures relevant to their chosen qualification at the time of registration.
- Once registered, the sedation technique cannot be changed.
- The first 6 months of the course focus on completing the RoC in preparation for the exam.
- Failure to complete the RoC within the required timeframe may result in a course extension and a deferral fee.
ILS Requirement
In line with the Standards for Conscious Sedation (2015), learners must complete an Immediate Life Support (ILS) course. This is not included within the qualification and must be arranged separately.
RoC Breakdown
- PCAS:
- IV Sedation: 20 treatment + 5 recovery PCAS
- IHS Sedation: 10 treatment + 5 recovery PCAS
- Case Studies:
Learners must complete a detailed case study showcasing their understanding and practical experience.
- DOCS:
Linked documents for each PCAS patient, detailing duties performed during procedures.
- Supplementary Outcomes:
Includes workplace evidence and knowledge-based assessments.
Learners are given a deadline to complete the RoC, typically 3–4 months before the exam. Once submitted, it undergoes internal quality assurance before being sent to NEBDN.
Qualifications available:
Certificate in Dental Sedation Nursing (DSN)
This is the traditional full qualification allowing dental nurses to work with all types of sedation commonly used in practice. You will need to be able to gain significant experience in both inhalation and intravenous sedation.
Award in Inhalation Sedation Dental Nursing (IHSN)
This qualification will allow dental nurses to work with patients undergoing treatment with inhalation sedation. You will need to be able to gain significant experience in inhalation sedation
Award in Intravenous Sedation Dental Nursing (IVSN)
This qualification will allow dental nurses to work with patients undergoing treatment with intravenous sedation. You will need to be able to gain significant experience in intravenous sedation.
Should a learner be successful in one of the awards and then find themselves able to meet the remaining aspects of the RoC within 5 years, they will be able to submit this evidence to NEBDN for consideration for the Certificate in Dental Sedation Nursing. No further teaching or examination would be needed but they will need the support of an accredited centre to administrate this process.
Top up Award
Learners who complete either the IHSN or IVSN award and later gain experience in the remaining sedation technique within five years may submit additional evidence to NEBDN for consideration for the full Certificate in Dental Sedation Nursing. No further teaching or examination is required, but support from an accredited centre is necessary to facilitate this process.
The Record of Competence is in four parts:
- Part A: Practical Competence Assessment Sheets (PCAS)
- Part B: Expanded Case Studies
- Part C: Directly Observed Clinical Skills Assessments (DOCS)
- Part D: Supplementary Outcomes (SO)
When registering for the qualification, the learner must have access to carry out practical skills relating to the specified sedation technique. Once registered there can be no amendments to the registration.
The first 6 months of the course is focused on completion of the RoC to enable the learner to sit the exam when planned. Please note, failure to complete the RoC will result in the course requiring to be extended which will incur a defer fee.
It is a requirement of the Standards for Conscious Sedation 2015 for learners assisting with conscious sedation in practice to complete the Immediate Life Support (ILS) course. The ILS course is not included within this qualification.
The RoC compromises of the following:
- Practical Competence Assessment Sheets (PCAS): There are treatment and recovery PCAS that are required to be completed for each patient. If a learner is completing intravenous (IV) sedation there are 20 treatment PCAS and 5 recovery PCAS. If a learner is completing inhalation (IHS) sedation, there are 10 treatment PCAS and 5 recovery.
- Case study / Case studies: Learners are expected to carry out a case study of their chosen patient journey to showcase their underpinning knowledge and understanding relating to the skills they have gained through practical training in practice.
- Documents (DOCS): For each of the patients seen for PCAS there is a linked document relating to related duties carried out during the procedure itself.
- Supplementary outcomes: The supplementary outcomes include a range of evidence for the learner to provide from the workplace as well as some knowledge based assessments.
Learners will be provided with a deadline to complete the RoC although this is always 3-4 months prior to sitting the exam. Upon completion of the RoC this will go through an internal quality assurance process before being submitted to the NEBDN in preparation for the exam being booked.
Learners are provided with a number of different resources for learning material. Learners are expected to carry out learning each week making their way through the materials provided with a calendar of dates to follow. The learning material provided is evidence based material which covers topics set out in the NEBDN syllabus and provides underpinning knowledge and understanding to help support practical skills along with preparation for the examination.
Mock exams are provided upon completion of the RoC and once learning from other material has been carried out. Mock exams help prepare further for revision for the examination.
Approximately 1 month prior to the expected examination date, the Tutor will arrange oral mock exams. The oral mocks will include random testing across the syllabus. Although this sounds daunting, this is a varied form of revision with excellent feedback from previous learners who have gone on to successfully pass the examination.
Learning & Revision Support
Learners receive a comprehensive set of evidence-based learning materials aligned with the NEBDN syllabus. Weekly study is expected, guided by a structured calendar.
- Mock Exams: Provided after RoC completion and learning material review.
- Oral Mock Exams: Conducted approximately 1 month before the exam, covering random syllabus topics. These sessions are highly valued by past learners for their effectiveness in exam preparation.
About the Examination
Examination Details
Format:
- Part A: 45 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Part B: 30 Extended Matching Questions (EMQs)
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Exam Dates: Held twice a year in March and September
- Confirmation: Dates are published on the NEBDN website and communicated directly to learners. NEBDN reserves the right to amend dates with appropriate notice.
Award of Qualification
To successfully achieve the qualification, learners must:
- Complete and pass all components of the Record of Competence
- Pass the written examination
Examination date
The examination date is published on the NEBDN website although examinations are held twice per year every March and every September. Please note, the timing of the exam will only be published nearer the time of the exam and you will be notified directly from the NEBDN. The NEBDN also reserve the right to make amendments to the exam date although you will be notified in good time.
Please click here to visit the NEBDN website where the exam dates are published at the bottom of the page.
Tutor information
The course is remotely delivered and learner-led, with progress recorded via the PebblePad online portfolio system. Learners receive ongoing support from their tutor throughout the course.
Lead Tutor: Zoe Gee
- Qualified Dental Nurse since 1999
- Sedation Nurse since 2000
- Tutor since 2008
- Known for high learner success rates and supportive teaching style
Internal Moderator: Michelle Porter
Support Availability:
- Tutors are available 7 days a week, 9am–9pm via email, phone, text, or WhatsApp
How much does the course cost?
Top up Award
£450.00
Certificate in Dental Sedation Nursing (DSN) Both inhalation sedation and intravenous sedation
£1000.00
Award in Inhalation Sedation Dental Nursing (IHSN)
£875.00
Award in Intravenous Sedation Dental Nursing (IVSN)
£875.00
Please note, if candidates do not live on UK mainland, there will be a £25 surcharge to cover postage costs.
Follow us on our social media page seasonal offers.
Other useful contacts
We have a range of contacts available to support your needs at Dentrain. Please see below for further information.
Safeguarding Lead & Complaints Officer
Zoe Gee
Email:
Safeguarding Officer
Careers Education Advice Guidance Officer
Qualification Lead
Michelle Porter
Mob: 07703 679184
Email:
Office: 01204 528652
Dentrain Professionals Ltd, Bridge Place, Rear of 22 Bridge Street, Bolton BL1 2EA