Research abstract
British Dental Journal 201, 453 - 456 (2006)
Published online: 7 October 2006 | doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.4814074
Sedation in Wales: a questionnaire
B L Chadwick1, S Thompson2 & E T Treasure3
- The General Dental Council recommends the use of conscious sedation in preference to general anaesthesia whenever possible.
- In a survey of Welsh primary dental care practitioners, over half had referred patients for conscious sedation.
- Only 12% of those surveyed offered sedation services for patients
Abstract
Aim To identify the current provision of sedation in primary dental care in Wales.
Design Postal questionnaire survey.
Setting Wales 2003.
Subjects and materials Questionnaires were sent to all dentists appearing on the Dentists Register with addresses in Wales (n = 1374). The questionnaires sought details on personal status, use of and training in conscious sedation techniques.
Results In total 951 (69%) questionnaires were returned, 720 (90%) respondents worked in a primary dental care setting. Only 87 (12.1%) primary care dentists offered some form of sedation.
Conclusions The provision of conscious sedation services in primary dental care in Wales is poor.
- Professor in Paediatric Dentistry, Dental School, University of Cardiff, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF4 4XY
- Senior Lecturer in Adult Dental Health, Dental School, University of Cardiff, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF4 4XY
- Professor of Dental Public Health, Department of Dental Health & Biological Sciences, Dental School, University of Cardiff, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF4 4XY
Correspondence to: B L Chadwick1 e-mail: Chadwickbl@cardiff.ac.uk
