The success of inhalation sedation for comprehensive dental care within the Community Dental Service

• Published in: International journal of paediatric dentistry Vol. 12; no. 6; pp. 410 - 414
• Main Author: Bryan, R. A. E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01.11.2002
• Subjects: Age Factors; Anesthesia, Dental - methods; Anesthesia, Inhalation; Anesthetics, Inhalation; Child; Child, Preschool; Clinical Competence; Community Dentistry; Conscious Sedation - methods; Dental Care for Children - methods; Dental Restoration, Permanent; Dentistry; Female; Humans; Male; Nitrous Oxide; Retrospective Studies; Tooth Extraction; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0960-7439; 1365-263X
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-263X.2002.00400.x

Objectives. To assess the outcomes of treatment with nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation sedation (IS). To relate these to the age and previous dental experience of the child and the experience of the operator. To provide base‐line information and identify training needs. Methods. A retrospective examination of the clinical records of all children treated with IS within the Community Dental Service of Harrow and Hillingdon NHS Trust (HHHT) over a 3‐month period was made. Personal details and previous dental experience were recorded. The outcome of the planned treatment was identified. Results. Two hundred and eleven sets of records were reviewed from eight clinicians. The average age of the children was 7·2 years. Treatment plans were successfully completed in 83·9% of cases. Records showed that 18·5% of the children had previously had general anaesthesia (GA) for dental treatment, 27·5% had received IS and 5·2% had no previous dental experience. Of the ‘failed’ treatments, 50% were under 7 years of age and 31·3% were referred for GA. There was no difference in the proportion of failures in relation to the experience of the operator. Conclusion. This review shows that inhalation sedation with nitrous oxide/oxygen is a very successful adjunct to the clinical management of children within the Community Dental Service.