Principles of Intravenous Sedation course for Dental Practice

This session covers the basic principles of intravenous sedation (IVS) and current guidelines relating to the provision of IVS in the UK.

Learning objectives

By the end of this session you will be able to:

• list the principles of IVS
• state the training requirements for providing IVS
• use current guidelines relating to conscious sedation provision
• list the indications and contraindications for IVS and the advantages and disadvantages
• describe patient preparation for intravenous sedation

Conscious sedation is defined as:

"A technique in which the use of a drug or drugs produces a state of depression of the central nervous system enabling treatment to be carried out, but during which verbal contact with the patient is maintained throughout the period of sedation. The drugs and techniques used to provide conscious sedation for dental treatment should carry a margin of safety wide enough to render loss of consciousness unlikely."