Staff Profile

I have been a clinical academic at Newcastle University for twenty-eight years, leading on education and research in the field of conscious sedation for dental care. During that time I developed world-class research and teaching programmes in sedation and anxiety management. I hold external roles as member of the Expert Advisors panel for NICE’s Centre for Guidelines, Chair of the Sedation Advisory Committee at Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, FDS Sedation Advisor and Fellowship Assessor at the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Academic and clinical qualifications comprise a PhD, BDS, BSc, FDSRCS, FFDRCS, FRSB. I have held a Personal Chair at Newcastle University for seventeen years and was formerly awarded a Hunterian Professorship of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

My research focused on the field of anxiety management and conscious sedation in dentistry, investigating new methods of sedation and providing alternatives to general anaesthesia for paediatric dental patients. Programmes included evaluating pre-operative dental anxiety, cognitive effects of sedation agents, investigation of new paediatric sedation techniques, complications and morbidity of sedation, seeking alternative sedation techniques to avoid dental general anaesthesia, and clinical trials of new anxiolytic agents.

As Degree Programme Director for the Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma in Conscious Sedation in Dentistry, I developed innovative PGT sedation programmes, externally endorsed as "gold standard in the UK". I also developed and led the undergraduate BDS programme in dental sedation in Newcastle School of Dental Sciences.

• Articles

  • Flavell T, Wilson K, Girdler NM. The importance of preoperative instructions and their role in patient safety in the provision of conscious sedation for dental care. Faculty Dental Journal 2021, 12(2), 97-101.
  • Scally K, Wilson K, Linsley M, Girdler NM. Formative assessment used to enhance knowledge, skills and student experience in undergraduate sedation teaching. Journal of Disability and Oral Health 2017, 18(4), 117-123.
  • Wilson K, Amin K, Girdler NM. Evaluation of clinical effectiveness in the provision of intravenous midazolam sedation for anxious dental patients. Faculty Dental Journal 2017, 8(4), 144-149.
  • Stamp AJ, Dorman ML, Vernazza CR, Deeming G, Reid C, Wilson KE, Girdler NM. Can intravenous conscious sedation with midazolam be effective at facilitating surgical dentistry in adolescent orthodontic patients? A service evaluation. British Dental Journal 2017, 222(2), 113-119.
  • Brady PJ, Wilson KE, Meeke R, Girdler NM, McCreary C. Capnography monitoring during intravenous sedation with midazolam for oral surgery. Oral Surgery 2016, 9(2), 94-101.
  • Harding A, Vernazza CR, Wilson K, Harding J, Girdler NM. What are dental non-attenders’ preferences for anxiety management techniques? A cross-sectional study based at a dental access centre. British Dental Journal 2015, 218(7), 415-421.
  • Hiral P, Reid C, Wilson K, Girdler NM. Inter-rater agreement between children's self-reported and parents' proxy-reported dental anxiety. British Dental Journal 2015, 218, E6.
  • Scally KJ, Wilson KE, Girdler NM. A study of dental students' clinical knowledge acquisition and experiences in conscious sedation. British Dental Journal 2015, 218(6), 351-354.
  • Thompson W, Wilson KE, Girdler NM. Escorts' Knowledge of Their Duty of Care to Patients Who Have Undergone Intravenous Sedation. Primary Dental Journal 2014, 3(1), 67-70.
  • Clarke M, Wilson KE, Girdler NM, Stassen LFA. Effect of patient position and verbal interaction on recovery following intravenous sedation. Oral Surgery 2013, 6(4), 193-199.
  • Nolan A, Girdler NM, Seymour RA, Thomason JM. The prevalence of dysplasia and malignant lip lesions in transplant patients. Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine 2012, 41(2), 113-118.
  • Hierons RJ, Dorman ML, Wilson K, Averley P, Girdler N. Investigation of inhalational conscious sedation as a tool for reducing anxiety in adults undergoing exodontia. British Dental Journal 2012, 213, E9.
  • Wilson KE, Thorpe RJ, McCabe JF, Girdler NM. Complications associated with intravenous midazolam sedation in anxious dental patients. Primary Dental Care 2011, 18(4), 161-166.
  • Kime S, Wilson KE, Girdler NM. Evaluation of objective and subjective methods for assessing dental anxiety. Journal of Disability & Oral Health 2010, 11(69-76).
  • Croft-Barnes NP, Girdler NM, Brough E, Wilson KE, Beddis AJ. Anxiety and Quality of Life in Phobic Dental Patients. Journal of Dental Research 2010, 89(3), 302-306.
  • Prabu NT, Nunn JH, Evans DJ, Girdler NM. Access to dental care: parents' and caregivers' views on dental treatemnt services for people with disabilities. Special Care in Dentistry 2010, 30(2), 35-45.
  • Wilson KE, Dorman ML, Moore PA, Girdler NM. Pain control and anxiety management for periodontal therapies. Periodontology 2000 2008, 46(1), 42-55.
  • Prabu NT, Nunn JH, Evans DJ, Girdler NM. Development of a screening tool to assess the suitability of people with a disability for oral care under sedation or general anaesthesia. Special Care in Dentistry 2008, 28(4), 145-158.
  • Wilson KE, Welbury RR, Girdler NM. Comparison of transmucosal midazolam with inhalation sedation for dental extractions in children. a randomized, cross-over, clinical trial. Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica 2007, 51(8), 1062-1067.
  • Wilson KE, Girdler NM, Welbury RR. A comparison of oral midazolam and nitrous oxide sedation for dental extractions in children. Anaesthesia 2006, 61(12), 1138-1144.
  • Mellor AC, Dorman ML, Girdler NM. The use of an intra-oral injection of ketorolac in the treatment of irreversible pulpitis. International Endodontic Journal 2005, 38(11), 789-792.
  • Allen EM, Girdler NM. Attitudes to conscious sedation in patients attending an emergency dental clinic. Primary Dental Care 2005, 12(1), 27-32.
  • Holmes RD, Girdler NM. A study to assess the validity of clinical judgement in determining paediatric dental anxiety and related outcomes of management. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2005, 15(3), 169-176.
  • Girdler NM, Wilson KE, Booth EJ. A prospective study of complications and outcome associated with conscious sedation for the anxious dental patient. Journal of Disability and Oral Health 2005, 6(1), 24-30.
  • Averley PA, Lane I, Sykes J, Girdler NM, Steen N, Bond S. An RCT pilot study to test the effects of intravenous midazolam as a conscious sedation technique for anxious children requiring dental treatment - An alternative to general anaesthesia. British Dental Journal 2004, 197(9), 553-558.
  • Averley PA, Girdler NM, Bond S, Steen N, Steele J. A randomised controlled trial of paediatric conscious sedation for dental treatment using intravenous midazolam combined with inhaled nitrous oxide or nitrous oxide/sevoflurane. Anaesthesia 2004, 59(9), 844-852.
  • Wilson KE, Girdler NM, Welbury RR. Randomized, controlled, cross-over clinical trial comparing intravenous midazolam sedation with nitrous oxide sedation in children undergoing dental extractions. British Journal of Anaesthesia 2003, 91(6), 850-856.
  • Wilson KE, Welbury RR, Girdler NM. A study of the effectiveness of oral midazolam sedation for orthodontic extraction of permanent teeth in children: A prospective, randomised, controlled, crossover trial. British Dental Journal 2002, 192(8), 457-462.
  • Wilson KE, Welbury RR, Girdler NM. A randomised, controlled, crossover trial of oral midazolam and nitrous oxide for paediatric dental sedation. Anaesthesia 2002, 57(9), 860-867.
  • Girdler NM, Lyne JP, Wallace R, Neave N, Scholey A, Wesnes KA, Herman C. A randomised, controlled trial of cognitive and psychomotor recovery from midazolam sedation following reversal with oral flumazenil. Anaesthesia 2002, 57(9), 868-876.
  • Girdler NM, Fairbrother KJ, Lyne JP, Neave N, Scholey A, Hargaden N, Wesnes KA, Engler J, Rotherham NA. A randomised crossover trial of post-operative cognitive and psychomotor recovery from benzodiazepine sedation: Effects of reversal with flumazenil over a prolonged recovery period. British Dental Journal 2002, 192(6), 335-339.
  • Wilson K, Girdler NM, Welbury RR. Oral midazolam sedation for orthodontic extractions in children. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2001, 11, 388-389.
  • Nolan A, Thomason M, Girdler NM, Seymour RA, Soames JV. HLA mismatch associated with increased risk of lip malignancy following transplantation. Journal of Dental Research 2001, 80(s1), 535.
  • Lyne JP, Girdler NM, Fairbrother K, Neave N, Scholey A. A study of recovery from benzodiazepine sedation: effects of reversal with flumazenil over a prolonged post-operative recovery period. British Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery 2001, 39, 234.
  • Speirs AF, Taylor KH, Joanes DH, Girdler NM. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, comparative study of topical skin analgesics and the anxiety anc discomfort associated with venous cannulation. British Dental Journal 2001, 190(8), 444-449.
  • Girdler NM, Fairbrother K, Neave N, Scholey A, Hargenden N, Wesnes KA, Engler J, Rotherham NA. A placebo-controlled, double blind, crossover study of the cognitive effects of midazolam and reversal with flumazenil in routine dental procedures: results from the CDR test battery. Journal of Psychopharmacology 2001, 15 (3), A72.
  • Neave N, Reid C, Scholey AB, Thompson JM, Moss M, Ayre G, Wesnes K, Girdler NM. Dose-dependent effects of flumazenil on cognition, mood, and cardio-respiratory physiology in healthy volunteers. British Dental Journal 2000, 189(12), 668-674.
  • Girdler NM, Fairbrother K, Neave N, Scholey A, Hargaden N, Wesnes K, Engler J, Rotherham NA. An examination of the time course of cognitive effects resulting from administration of midazolam in routine dental procedures. Journal of Psychopharmacology 2000, 14, A45.
  • Leitch JA, Girdler NM. A survey of the teaching of conscious sedation in dental schools of the United Kingdom and Ireland. British Dental Journal 2000, 188(4), 211-216.
  • Girdler NM, Rynn D, Lyne JP, Wilson KE. A prospective randomised controlled study of patient-controlled propofol sedation in phobic dental patients. Anaesthesia 2000, 55(4), 327-333.
  • Girdler NM, Smith DG. Prevalence of emergency events in British dental practice and emergency management skills of British dentists. Resuscitation 1999, 41(2), 159-167.
  • Thomason JM, Girdler NM, Kendall-Taylor P, Wastell H, Weddel A, Seymour RA. An investigation into the need for supplementary steroids in organ transplant patients undergoing gingival surgery: A double-blind, split-mouth, cross-over study. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 1999, 26(9), 577-582.
  • Thomason JM, Girdler NM, Kendall-Taylor P, Wastell H, Weddel A, Seymour RA. An investigation into the need for supplementary steroids in organ transplant patients udergoing gingival surgery. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 1999, 26(9), 577-582.

• Authored Books

  • Girdler, NM, Hill, CM, Wilson, KE. Conscious Sedation for Dentistry. Wiley-Blackwell, 2017. In Preparation.
  • Girdler NM, Hill CM, Wilson KE. Clinical Sedation in Dentistry. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 2009.
  • Girdler NM, Hill CM. Sedation in Dentistry. Oxford; Boston: Elsevier Science, 2003.

• Reviews

  • Shearer J, Wilson KE, Girdler NM. A survey of the opinions of consultant anaesthetists in Scotland of sedation carried out by dentists. British Dental Journal 2004, 196(2), 93-98.
  • Thompson JM, Neave N, Moss MC, Scholey AB, Wesnes K, Girdler NM. Cognitive properties of sedation agents: Comparison of the effects of nitrous oxide and midazolam on memory and mood. British Dental Journal 1999, 187(10), 557-562.