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This review article considers the development of the Intercollegiate Advisory Committee for Sedation in Dentistry (IACSD) guideline produced by the four dental faculties of the Royal Colleges and the Royal College of Anaesthetists for conscious sedation use in dentistry. An outline of the scope of the document, which aims to set definitive standards for conscious sedation provision within the dental environment, is given. The IACSD guideline sets a national standard for all aspects of dental conscious sedation provision, from training of the team, environment requirements and clinical delivery; it is therefore a requirement that all dentists, doctors and healthcare professionals providing, or supporting, dental conscious sedation are aware of the content. CPD/Clinical Relevance: This article should help with the understanding of the development background, scope of the guideline and relevance to the dental practice of dental conscious sedation.

The General Dental Council guidelines regarding the use of general anaesthesia in general practice have changed; inhalation sedation with nitrous oxide has been shown as a safe alternative to general anaesthesia for many patients and is a technique particularly suited to the practice environment.