Techniques to administer oral, inhalational, and IV sedation in dentistry

Abstract

Formal training is essential to achieve the safe practice of sedation in dentistry or medicine. The appropriate setting for sedation should be determined as there is an increased risk outside the hospital setting. Patients should be adequately assessed and medication titrated appropriately, based on individual requirements.

The challenges of dental care provision in patients with learning disabilities and special requirements during COVID‐19 pandemic

“…However, these methods are not deemed to be sufficient for more severe cases of learning disabilities and complex, invasive dental treatment. 9 While the behavioral management methods for anxiety control are useful for only a fraction of SCD patients, pharmacological techniques, including inhalation and intravenous (IV) sedation have been an effective and safe alternatives that allow the patient to become more cooperative, promoting a less traumatic, and more individualized treatment. This would be particularly useful in the treatment of individuals with mild moderate learning disabilities, young patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and people with dental phobia.…”

“…This would be particularly useful in the treatment of individuals with mild moderate learning disabilities, young patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and people with dental phobia. [9][10][11] Particularly nowadays, conscious IV sedation, with the use of titrated single-drug short acting benzodiazepines or propofol, seems to be the optimal pharmacological method of anxiety management in dentistry, as an alternative to DGA that is currently very limited. 12 Midazolam, the most common sedative agent for IV technique in SCD demonstrated to be efficient and safe in clinical use in outpatient settings.…”

Contribution of benzodiazepines in dental care of patients with special needs

“…In these cases, conscious sedation is an effective and safe alternative that allows the patient to become more cooperative, promoting the accomplishment of a less traumatic and more resilient treatment. The main objectives of sedation are reduction of anxiety and fear, as well as mild analgesia and reduction of nausea and salivary flow (2)(3)(4). Among the pharmacological methods of sedation in dentistry, oral benzodiazepines (BZDs) are one of the most widely used alternatives to this degree of sedation (5).…”

Evidence of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for the management of dental fear in paediatric dentistry: a systematic review protocol

“…14 General anaesthesia has been proposed as an alternative pharmacological intervention though now it is discouraged due to possible but rare risk of death and high cost since it requires the involvement of specialist facilities including professionals such as anaesthetists and specialist nurses. [14][15][16] Non-pharmacological interventions, can be theoretically grouped into: (1) communication skills, rapport and trust building; (2) behaviour modification techniques;…”