Who Should Administer Conscious Sedation? Part Three: Sedation competence

Who Should Administer Conscious Sedation? Part Three: Sedation competence – MM1308

The previous article argued that competence to administer conscious sedation (CS) should move away from competence based on a practitioner’s specialty to competence based on skills and knowledge.

The UK’s General Dental Council says: “Dentists have a duty of care to administer conscious sedation only within the limits of their knowledge, training, skills and experience and healthcare professionals should have completed relevant postgraduate education and training and have clinical experience of the particular conscious sedation technique.” This principle is equally applicable outside dentistry, In fact, all international guidelines agree with the principles expressed above.

This article will outline the competence every sedation practitioner should have when he plans to administer CS.

Modern Medicine – August 2013