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
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Gives knowledge on the potential for new sedative agents.
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Provides knowledge on nitrous oxide contribution to environmental pollution.
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Refreshes knowledge on sedation best practice.
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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.
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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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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-023-6724-6