CONSCIOUS SEDATION IN DENTISTRY

Course overview

CONSCIOUS SEDATION IS A TECHNIQUE WHEREBY PATIENTS UNDERGO A DRUG-INDUCED DEPRESSION OF THEIR CONSCIOUSNESS BUT RETAIN THE ABILITY TO SELF-VENTILATE, MAINTAIN PROTECTIVE REFLEXES, AND RESPOND TO VERBAL OR LIGHT-PRESSURE STIMULI. DENTISTS PRIMARILY USE CONSCIOUS SEDATION IN MANAGING AND TREATING ANXIOUS PATIENTS, BUT IT IS ALSO VALUABLE FOR SPECIFIC COMORBIDITIES, NAMELY THOSE ASSOCIATED WITH DYSKINESIA OR EXACERBATED BY STRESS. COMMON TECHNIQUES EMPLOYED ARE INHALATION SEDATION USING NITROUS OXIDE/OXYGEN, ORAL SEDATION USING DIAZEPAM, AND SINGLE-DRUG INTRAVENOUS SEDATION USING MIDAZOLAM. NITROUS OXIDE IS A COLORLESS, ODORLESS GAS AND AN EFFECTIVE ANALGESIC/ANXIOLYTIC AGENT. DIAZEPAM AND MIDAZOLAM ARE BOTH IN THE BENZODIAZEPINE CLASS OF MEDICATIONS. THIS ACTIVITY WILL HIGHLIGHT THE INDICATIONS, CONTRAINDICATIONS, EQUIPMENT, MECHANISM OF ACTION, AND TECHNIQUES FOR CONSCIOUS SEDATION IN DENTISTRY, PERTINENT FOR INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM MEMBERS IN MANAGING PATIENTS WITH DENTAL ANXIETY OR A CLINICAL NEED FOR SEDATION.