An audit of dental nurses’ confidence with intravenous sedation within an oral surgery department at a UK dental hospital

Abstract

The Oral Surgery department at King’s College Hospital, London provides a large volume of treatment under intravenous sedation (IVS) with midazolam. The Oral Surgery team includes over 20 dental nurses, each with varying levels of training and knowledge around IVS. The dedicated team approach needed to manage complex or difficult patients requires a keen understanding of the treatment modality and drugs involved, through regular continuing professional development (CPD) activities to refresh and update knowledge. An audit was designed to assess the levels of confidence among a cohort of dental nurses in the Oral Surgery department. Completion of the audit cycle resulted in improved levels of confidence through identification of teaching needs and targeted teaching. This article outlines the validity of regular team-based education in targeted areas to maximise learning outcomes and improve patient care and experience.