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Inhaled methoxyflurane (Penthrox) administration in dentistry as an alternative to nitrous oxide sedation: a review and feasibility study

British Dental Journal volume 236, pages 124–129 (2024)Cite this article

Abstract

Methoxyflurane (MOF) as an agent for dental sedation has been used safely in Australasia for decades. The drug is now licensed for relief of pain associated with trauma and is being used during several medical outpatient procedures in the stead of traditional intravenous agents for sedation in the UK. Our aim was to analyse the safety and feasibility of the introduction of MOF as a drug for dental sedation in the UK community setting and assess its environmental impact. A literature review was conducted for available studies and a research audit of medical histories of patients that received nitrous oxide sedation in the previous year was carried out to assess suitability for MOF administration. The published literature shows MOF to be a safe drug for administration in the dental environment and local patients receiving nitrous oxide sedation are medically suitable for MOF administration. The advantages of considering MOF sedation are its environmental benefit and patient acceptability.

Key points

  • Gives knowledge on the potential for new sedative agents.

  • Provides knowledge on nitrous oxide contribution to environmental pollution.

  • Refreshes knowledge on sedation best practice.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Speciality Doctor Oral Surgery Department Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, Scotland, UK

    Diana Inkster

  2. Senior Dental Officer (Special Care), NHS Highland, Inverness, Scotland, UK

    David Jones

  3. Consultant Anaesthetist, NHS Highland, Inverness, Scotland, UK

    Kenneth Barker

Authors
  1. Diana Inkster
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  2. David Jones
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  3. Kenneth Barker
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Contributions

DI and DJ conceived and developed the study; DI collected data; DI, DJ and KB analysed data; DI produced the manuscript; DI, DJ and KB revised the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Diana Inkster.

Ethics declarations

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Caldicott and Health Board approval was obtained for logbook data collection and analysis. Medical information was gleaned retrospectively from electronic dental and medical records.

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Inkster, D., Jones, D. & Barker, K. Inhaled methoxyflurane (Penthrox) administration in dentistry as an alternative to nitrous oxide sedation: a review and feasibility study. Br Dent J 236, 124–129 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-023-6724-6

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