Certificate in Dental Sedation Nursing - Correspondance

The courses start in mid March leading to the exam in September (6 months) then again in September, leading to the exam in March.

You are looking to spend at least 3 – 4 hours a week completing the work. This is the same as if you were going to night school one night a week.

You will sit the exam at a centre near to you. This will be in the UK & is normally a major city or at a dental hospital. The exam board designate the centres. This is the only time you will have to go anywhere. You can contact the exam board to ask where your nearest centre would be.

You would gain the Award in IHS, Award in IV or the Certificate in Dental Sedation Nursing, which can be used for dental nurses whom assist and recover patients during dental sedation.

You will also be able to claim verifiable CPD hours towards your registration with the GDC.

Theory
The course follows the syllabus set out by the Exam Board for Dental Nurses.
Each week you have a set amount of work to complete, just as you would do at night school. The work is in an easy to follow and understand format & is available on paper. You are allocated a tutor who you can contact if you get stuck or need further clarification on a subject. You send work to your tutor at regular intervals so your tutor can feedback to you on any revision needed. The course material covers the theory section for the exam.

Practical
As part of the exam you are expected to complete practical tasks in your workplace. Your tutor will help. These tasks are submitted in written form to the examining board before the exam.

The course can be completed in 3 ways:

1 Award in Inhalation sedation ONLY

10 IHS treatment cases

10 IHS recovery cases

1 IHS Case study

Relevant DCO’s and supplementary outcomes.

2 Award in Intravenous Sedation ONLY

20 IV treatment cases - up to 5 may be Oral sedation

20 IV recovery cases - up to 5 may be Oral sedation

1 IV Case study

Relevant DCO’s and supplementary outcomes.

3 Certificate in Dental Sedation Nursing

10 IHS treatment cases

20 IV treatment cases

10 IHS recovery cases

20 IV recovery cases

1 IHS Case study plus 1 IV Case study

Relevant DCO’s and supplementary outcomes.

The Exam (held twice a year – March & September)
The exam consists of the following
The written exam will be 90 minutes long and consist of 45 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) and 30 Extended Matching Questions (EMQ).