GDC Learning Outcome:
To address the following learning outcome, could you please explain how your course meets the requirements set by the GDC?
DH 1.7.5 Manage patient pain through the appropriate use of analgesia – To meet this outcome, please provide evidence of training including log of appropriate theoretical training either from the course provider or recognised training establishment followed by evidence of clinical experience of local infiltration and inferior dental nerve blocks by a recognised training provider that has been quality assured. This must be hands-on course on patients. This can be verified by a logbook recording.
DH 1.7.6 Explain the risks and benefits of treatment under general anaesthesia and conscious sedation – To meet this outcome, you must provide a self-declaration that you have read ‘Standards for Conscious Sedation and the Provision of Dental Care 2020’ available from SAAD website and relevant Health and Safety guidelines at work available at the dental practice.
The Society for the Advancement of Anaesthesia in Dentistry (SAAD) provides comprehensive standards and guidance for the safe and effective use of conscious sedation in dental care. These standards are detailed in the “Standards for Conscious Sedation in the Provision of Dental Care,” published by the Intercollegiate Advisory Committee for Sedation in Dentistry (IACSD).
This document outlines the clinical techniques available for conscious sedation in dentistry and specifies the appropriate environments for their delivery. It emphasises the importance of robust education and training to ensure patient safety and effective care. The standards are patient-centred, focusing on individual needs and ensuring that sedation methods are applied safely and appropriately.
In addition to these standards, SAAD has developed the “Safe Sedation Practice Scheme,” a quality assurance program designed to support the evaluation of conscious sedation in dentistry. This scheme applies to all settings where conscious sedation is administered, whether within the NHS or under private contract. It aims to promote a consistent approach to evaluation that is reasonable, fair, standardised, and transparent.
For further information and access to these documents, you can visit SAAD’s official website at www.saad.org.uk. Additionally, the Royal College of Surgeons provides a FAQ section on the standards for conscious sedation in dental care, which can be accessed here:
Several institutions in the UK offer Local Anaesthetics courses tailored for Dental Hygienists and Therapists. Here are some options you might consider:
Dawood & Tanner Academy London, UK
Offers a half-day program designed to update and inform Hygienists and Therapists on current trends and techniques in Local Anaesthetics, including hands-on practice in a simulated environment.
UCL Eastman Dental Institute London, UK
Offers a two-day CPD course titled.
‘Practical Local Anaesthesia in Dentistry’ that teaches dental practitioners how to use local anaesthetics correctly in dental practice, combining theoretical learning with clinical practice under guidance.
Christine Macleavy Coaching
Offers an online ‘Update on Local Anaesthesia in Dentistry’ aimed at dental therapists and hygienists who wish to refresh their knowledge and skills, covering all local anaesthetic agents, equipment, and techniques.
Enamel Academy
Provides a ‘Local Dental Anaesthesia’ short course designed for individuals with foreign dental degrees seeking to enhance their expertise in local dental anaesthesia, meeting GDC learning outcomes for registration as a Dental Hygienist in the UK.
University of Portsmouth
Provides a 12-week part-time ‘Local Dental Anaesthesia’ short course aimed at individuals with overseas dental qualifications recommended by the GDC to study local anaesthesia. The course focuses on safely delivering local anaesthetic to patients and understanding UK primary care practices.
University of Bristol
Offers a ‘Local Anaesthesia’ unit as part of a modular distance learning programme. This unit covers equipment, clinical pharmacology, advanced clinical techniques, and the prevention and management of complications related to local anaesthesia.
These courses are designed to enhance your skills in administering local anaesthetics within your scope of practice. It’s advisable to contact the respective institutions directly for the most current information on course dates, fees, and enrolment procedures.