Is Post Graduate Education Needed to Administer Relative Analgesia

From your Peer Advisor Jane Pinchback

Post-graduate education/training is NOT required to utilise RA in practice (in combination with local anaesthetic agents only) AND where conscious sedation is not achieved. (Dental Board of Australia - FAQ on Conscious Sedation). 

However, dentists using nitrous oxide and oxygen relative analgesia must be adequately trained and competent in it’s use. The ADA recommends that training for use of nitrous oxide and oxygen relative analgesia should be via a dedicated course. Most undergraduate exposure to nitrous oxide and oxygen techniques do not provide sufficient training or experience for this purpose.

***Please refer to ADA Guidelines for Relative Analgesia for comprehensive clinical guidance. 

The Dental Board of Australia advises that dentists are responsible for knowing your own scope of practice so you must learn to assess your own expertise. Undertaking CPD, such as a course about a new technique or procedure, can help you:

• maintain, improve and broaden your expertise and competence
• develop your personal and professional qualities

If you are unsure regarding your capacity to safely deliver RA to your patient/s, you could consider attending a CPD event to refresh your skills. An excellent face to face course is run by ADA SA Event List (adasa.asn.au) and reputable courses are also run by other State ADA branches.