Program Overview

Overview

The Conscious Sedation in Dentistry PGCert aims to provide students with a systematic understanding of the theoretical principles that underpin conscious sedation in dentistry and the care of patients undergoing sedation. The program also offers a comprehensive practical understanding of clinical skills in intravenous and inhalational sedation techniques, as applicable to UK practice in dentistry.

What You'll Learn

• A systematic understanding of the theoretical principles that underpin conscious sedation in dentistry and the care of patients undergoing sedation.
• A comprehensive practical understanding of clinical skills in intravenous and inhalational sedation techniques, as applicable to UK practice in dentistry.

How You'll Learn

• The one-year part-time course consists of 4 didactic days of lectures and seminars.
• It also includes 15 supervised clinical attachment sessions.
• Didactic and clinical teaching occurs over a full academic year.
• All study days and clinical sessions take place at the Newcastle Dental Hospital.
• Assessment methods include:
  • Essay
  • Observation of professional practice
  • Portfolio
• Student support is provided by academic staff, personal tutors and research supervisors, the University Student Services Team, student representatives, and peers.

Your Future

The program is designed to provide dentists with Level 7 PG Certificate training in sedation, enabling them to practice conscious sedation as independent practitioners.

Quality and Ranking

• 42% of the university's research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021.
• 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021.
• Global Top 140 University – QS World University Rankings 2026.
• Global Top 160 University - Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025.
• Top 100 for Medical and Health – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025.
• Top 120 for Dentistry - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025.
• Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024.
• Top 95 for Life Sciences and Medicine - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025.

Facilities

The university's facilities include:

• A cone beam CT scanner and implant planning software for patients treated on the implant programmes.
• In-house production laboratories providing excellent learning opportunities around clinician-technician communication.
• Excellent library and computing facilities on-site.
• Research laboratories in Oral Biology, Anthropology, and Dental Materials Science.
• A dedicated clinical research facility offering clinical training and research opportunities of the highest international standard.

Fees and Funding

• Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year): £8,400 for Home students (part-time).
• Tuition fee increases: As a general principle, students should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of their course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.
• Scholarships: The university supports EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships.

Entry Requirements

• Primary dental qualification – BDS or equivalent.
• Full registration as a dentist with the UK General Dental Council.
• Professional Indemnity Certificate.
• Documentary evidence of attendance at ILS and PILS courses or equivalent medical emergency/life support skills that is less than 12 months old when the course officially commences in October.
• Clinical access requirement: Students must have been granted clinical access by the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust before starting the placement.

How to Apply

• Start Dates: The course starts in October.
• Closing Dates: The course application deadline for 2026 entry is Friday, 17th July 2026.
• Specialised application information: Students must be fully registered with the General Dental Council (UK) at the time of application.
• Application process: Use the Applicant Portal to apply for the course, uploading the required documents, including a copy of the Bachelor of Dental Surgery Certificate, Professional Indemnity Certificate, current UK General Dental Council Registration Certificate, current CV, and documentary evidence of attendance at ILS and PILS courses or equivalent medical emergency/life support skills. NA