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The use of inhalation sedation for the management of anxious patients

BDJ Student volume 29, pages 27–31 (2022)Cite this article

By Christina Wainer

All patients have a right to appropriate anxiety control for dental treatments and conscious sedation can be an important adjunct to the provision of dental care. Conscious sedation is particularly relevant where dental treatment may be more advanced or complex, in dentally anxious patients, or in the case of special care and paediatric dentistry where patients cannot co-operate with routine care. This article will introduce the topic of conscious sedation, the different techniques available to achieve conscious sedation and provide a brief overview on inhalation sedation with nitrous oxide and its standing as the sole standard conscious sedation technique for children. Inhalation sedation with nitrous oxide/oxygen can be administered easily and safely to children in general dental practice and is a potential alternative to general anaesthesia. Future research on the suitability of different sedation techniques for particular patient groups is needed to help inform future guidance recommendations on the provision of sedation within dentistry.

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References

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  1. King´s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

    Christina Wainer

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  1. Christina Wainer
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Correspondence to Christina Wainer.

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Wainer, C. The use of inhalation sedation for the management of anxious patients. BDJ Student 29, 27–31 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41406-021-0265-8

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