Sedation for dental treatment of children in the primary care sector (UK)

Utilising a paediatric version of the indicator of sedation need for children’s dental care: a pilot study

“…This compares favourably with the findings of Soldani and co-workers (2010) whilst there were more males in the cohorts studied by other researchers (Bryan 2002;Ashley et al 2010;Soldani et al 2010). …”

Could conscious sedation with midazolam for dental procedures be an alternative to general anesthesia?

“…In the same regard, Rodger et al reported in their retrospective study that anesthesia-related complications occurred in only 1.57% of 3320 patients undergoing oral surgical procedures under sedation via the intravenous route. [14] GA can only be implemented in the hospital settings, [2,9,10] whereas CS can also be performed in an oral and dental health clinic, provided there is close monitoring by an anesthesiologist. [10] This may prompt a physician at a private dental clinic to favor CS.…”

“…[11] A survey by Ashley and co-workers reported a predilection of dentists for CS procedures, although performing procedures under CS in a private dental clinic has been the subject of debate. [2] Woolley and co-workers discussed the training requirements associated with sedation techniques that are supposed to be met by dentists in the United Kingdom, and most of the participants agreed that sedation techniques other than induction by nitrous oxide inhalation should be implemented in a hospital setting. [9] Additionally, the UK guidelines for pediatric dentistry recommended practicing sedation techniques with an anesthesiologist in a hospital setting.…”

“…[1] Many dentists prefer to refer young patients to centers capable of offering general anesthesia (GA) or conscious sedation (CS). [2] Parents often have little information about the procedures for GA and CS, and parental orientation to either of them is likely dependent on the practicing physician.…”

An Evaluation of Intranasal Sufentanil and Dexmedetomidine for Pediatric Dental Sedation

“…Conscious or moderate sedation is routinely used to facilitate the dental care of the pre-cooperative or uncooperative child [1,2,3,4]. Children who fail moderate sedation often need general anesthesia in order to complete their dental procedure, adding, cost, risk, and a delay of care.…”