The Effect of Intravenous Deep Sedation on Behaviour of Non Cooperative Children in the Dental Office- An Interventional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Recently, there has been an increasing need for sedation techniques to reduce anxiety in children undergoing painful diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Therefore, multiple tactics (oral sedation, Intravenous (IV) sedation) were devised to help practitioners manage such cases. Aim: To determine the efficiency and effects of propofol on the behaviour of anxious children during dental treatment. Materials and Methods: This interventional study was conducted at Damascus University, Damascus, Syria, from August 2018 to September 2020. Total 23 children aged 3 to 6 years who were physically healthy (American Society of Anesthesiologists I (ASA I) and uncooperative (negative or definitely negative according to Frankel’s behaviour scale) were included to determine the effects of intravenous propofol on their behaviour during treatment. Behaviour during treatment was evaluated using the Ohio State University Behavioural Rating Scale (OSUBRS). Also, the sedation level was evaluated using the University of Michigan Sedation Scale (UMSS). Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the levels of behaviour and degrees of sedation between males and females. The significance level was set at p-value <0.05. Results: Behaviour according to OSUBRS and degree of sedation according to UMSS during treatment were favourable, and treatment was completed for all participants. The Mann-Whitney test showed no statistically significant difference between males and females regarding the level of behaviour (p-value=0.605) or the degree of sedation (p-value=0.376). A strong positive relationship between treatment time and awakening time was found using the Pearson’s correlation coefficient (0.813, p-value<0.01). Conclusion: In the presence of an anaesthesiologist, intravenous propofol deep sedation was considered effective in managing anxious and uncooperative children during dental treatment.