Course summary
If you are an experienced dentist looking to expand your clinical expertise, a qualification in conscious sedation should be top of your list. On this 1-year part-time course, you'll gain the practical and theoretical knowledge you need to carry out conscious sedation in your practice, which is a highly sought-after dental skill. You'll learn practical skills at the University of Portsmouth Dental Academy – a training provider accredited by the Sedation Training Accreditation Committee (STAC) – and at the clinical facilities of our partner provider, Solent NHS Trust Special Care Dental Services. Both training centres feature the latest specialist equipment to help you explore dental sedation techniques safely under expert supervision. When you complete the course, you'll be able to offer conscious sedation as an alternative route to treatment for your dental patients, progress to a career in special care dentistry, or pursue further study in this specialised field. Please note that you'll need to provide your NHS Performer Number as part of the application process. What you'll experience On this course, you'll:
- Learn how to provide safe and effective conscious sedation across many dental settings, including primary care, secondary care, and special care services
- Explore the practical and theoretical sides of a range of conscious sedation techniques
- Experience a mix of supervised clinical practice sessions, distance learning and face-to-face learning
- Be taught by expert clinical supervisors and guest lecturers with postgraduate qualifications in conscious sedation
- Use specialist sedation equipment at our STAC-accredited Dental Academy and Solent NHS Trust Special Care Dental Services
- Gain valuable skills applicable to many healthcare settings, including airway assessment and management, IV cannulation, patient monitoring, and recognition of complications
Modules
Year 1 Core modules in this year include: Medical Sciences Related to Conscious Sedation – 15 credits Conscious Sedation Techniques – 15 credits Supervised Clinical Experience – 30 credits There are no optional modules in this year.
Assessment method
You'll be assessed through: short note questions single best answer (SBA) papers observation of procedural skills records of experience reflective logs set exercises You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark. You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
How to apply
International applicants
International applicants not accepted.
Entry requirements
Bachelor degree dentistry. Successful applicants must hold full registration with the General Dental Council and have appropriate professional indemnity in place. All applicants will be invited to attend an interview. The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check and occupational health clearance.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 7 | English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 7.0 with no component score below 6.5. |
| PTE Academic | 68 | An overall score of 68 with a minimum of 61 in each skill. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 100 | 100 with a minimum of 24 in Reading, 23 in Listening, 25 in Speaking and 24 in Writing |
| Cambridge English Advanced | Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 185 with no component score less than 176. | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 185 with no component score less than 176. | |
| Trinity ISE | Trinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components |
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £5600 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £5600 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £5600 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £5600 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £5600 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £5600 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Fees are accurate at the time of publishing and are subject to change at any time without notice.
Fees may also go up in later years, in line with inflation.
Provider information
University of Portsmouth
University House
Winston Churchill Avenue
Portsmouth
PO1 2UP