In recognition of the fact that COVID-19 has caused significant disruption to normal training programs, the Dental Board of Australia has advised dentists who hold an endorsement to practise conscious sedation who are unable to complete a Board-approved competency-based course will not have any action taken against them during the registration period in which restrictions are in effect.
This does, however, come with an important qualifier.
Since the completion of these courses in dental sedation and medical emergencies is required for each 12-month registration period, dentists who are able to attend available training must ensure it is undertaken.
The exemption is only relevant where attendance at an approved course is able to take place because of COVID-19 restrictions such as those that have recently been in place in NSW and Victoria for an extended period, and which have not yet fully run their course.
The Board advises that “Practitioners unable to attend an approved course should consider whether they are able to meet the standard and should ask themselves: ‘do I remain skilled and competent to practice conscious sedation?’.
In doing so, they should reference their obligations under the scope of practice, which depends on their education, qualifications, training, experience and competence, and remember that they “should not practice outside of their scope or competency.”
