Exploring the aspirations, expectations and impediments of ‘dental anaesthesiology’ as a medical and dental speciality: A scoping review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Local anaesthesia is the anaesthetic technique most frequently used in dentistry. Advanced anaesthetic treatments like conscious sedation and/or general anaesthesia are required for major dental surgical procedures. Although general dentists are capable of administering local anaesthesia, additional training is needed for advanced anaesthetic procedures. It is generally disputed whether advanced anaesthetic techniques should be related to one or two dental specialties or whether they should receive a separate degree. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims at introducing the field of ‘dental anaesthesiology’ in routine dental practice as applicable within laws laid down for dental and medical specialities. METHODS: Publications, articles and mouthpieces relevant to the topic of dental anaesthesiology were identified using various search engines like MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, and Web of Science. The terms used for the search were ‘Dental anaesthesiology’, ‘General anaesthesia’, and ‘Dental care’. Articles about dental treatment done under anaesthesia were only considered describing various anaesthesia techniques. Additionally, the authors being regular caregivers of dentistry including oral and maxillofacial surgeon have shared their personal experiences and information on the said theme. RESULTS: In total, 127 articles were found of which 33 articles were available as full texts. Unrelated articles from the available full text were excluded. Finally, 17 studies were incorporated into the review. Majority of dental anaesthesiologist has a positive and favourable attitude towards the profession. Pediatric dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and special needs dentistry are the fields with the highest service demand. Also, the field is lucrative if the practitioner is refined and provides sophisticated services. It is easier and time saving to train the dentists, especially the ones with oral and maxillofacial surgery background. CONCLUSION: A degree of dental anaesthesiologist will open new doors to the budding dentist seeking for jobs or wanting to provide the best outcome.