Courses

2000 - 2022

Dental nurse training opportunities were expanded in 1999 with the addition of a second course which helped nurses to prepare for the National Examining Board for Dental Nurses' (NEBDN) Certificate in Dental Sedation Nursing. This came to be known within SAAD as the "Part 2" course. This element was developed at Guy's Hospital by Dr David Craig and Dr Carole Boyle both of whom were examiners for the NEBDN qualification. Moving to Queen Mary, University of London in 2005 the SAAD National Course had a core programme reflecting the close associations SAAD had developed with the Dental Sedation Teachers Group (DSTG), the Association of Dental Anaesthetists (ADA), the Royal College of Surgeons of England, and the Royal College of Anaesthetists.

Driven by David Craig SAAD’s longest serving course director the National Courses were simplified logistically whilst still providing the hands-on training for which SAAD was always known. David expanded the faculty to utilise capable professionals from dental nurses and administrators encouraging younger but experienced professionals. With a firm hand on the tiller the courses developed to provide a separate course for dental hygienists and therapists.

2016 marked the launch of the SAAD Assessed Sedationist, and SAAD Assessed Sedation Nurse, Schemes. These were created in part as a response to the publication of the 2015 IACSD Standards for Conscious Sedation in the Provision of Dental Care, and with the aim of providing the required hands-on clinical experience. Both schemes, along with the SAAD Inhalation Sedation Course for Dental Hygienists and Therapists, are IACSD-accredited and meet the requirements for independent practice in dental sedation. Administered by Emma Lee, SAAD committed to training pathways as well as initial training. 

The high-quality didactic teaching, experienced course tutors and relevant hands-on stations which have always been the unique selling points of SAAD courses remain an integral part of the new schemes, but this is combined with a robust and effective clinical supervision element, which delegates can undertake with a clinical supervisor of their choosing, even in their own practice or setting.

This combination of excellent theoretical training and a well-designed clinical experience module, including workplace-based assessments, reflection and a practice evaluation really sets the SAAD schemes apart from the competition in giving the new sedationist or sedation nurse the best possible start on their journey in dental sedation.

From the mid 1970’s Cestradent McKesson, an anaesthetic supplies company run by the Swann and Martinez families supported SAAD’s activities with dental trade support. Unassuming and unfailingly polite to SAAD this company helped with inhalation sedation machine provision and servicing. They willingly provided monitoring equipment and sedation sundries to SAAD’s needs as well as medical gases for many years.