Sedation Flashcards
According to the 2009 Adult Dental Health Survey, what percentage of dentate adults are anxious about dental treatment?
48% of dentate adults are anxious about dental treatment.
What are the levels of dental anxiety found in the 2009 Adult Dental Health Survey?
36% of people experience moderate anxiety, while 12% have extreme fear.
What are some general aetiological factors contributing to dental anxiety?
- General anxiety
-age (younger people tend to be more anxious) - gender (women more anxious than men)
- socio-economic status (lower = more anxious)
- trauma
- family/peer influence.
Which dental factors can contribute to dental anxiety?
- Fear of needles
- the sound of the drill
- the dentist’s general manner
How does dental anxiety commonly present physiologically?
- increased heart rate
- hypertension
- changes in respiratory rate
- vasoconstriction
- sweating
- trembling
- weakness/fatigue
- sometimes aggression.
What are some psychological signs of dental anxiety?
- impending danger
- powerlessness
- tension.
What are key management strategies for dental anxiety?
Management strategies include the ‘Tell Show Do’ technique
- modelling
- relaxation techniques
- changing perceptions (e.g., distraction)
- providing control (e.g., a stop signal)
- systematic desensitisation
- offering explanations
- providing reassurance
- showing empathy
- distraction methods
- time structuring
What are the two stages of gagging?
1 - Retching – an initial process of attempting to eliminate noxious substances from the stomach.
2 - Gagging – a protective reflex to stop material from entering the mouth and oropharynx.
What are the two classifications of gagging?
1 - Psychogenic – initiated by higher centres of brain, may occur without direct physical contact.
2 - Somatic – caused by direct contact that stimulates sensory nerves.
What is the severity of gagging at Stage 1?
Stage 1 is Normal – the gag reflex occurs naturally without interfering with dental procedures.
What characterises Stage 2 gagging severity?
Stage 2 is Mild – the patient usually regains control over the gag reflex.
Describe the characteristics of Stage 3 gagging severity.
Stage 3 is Moderate – gagging occurs regularly during dental procedures, the patient cannot regain control, and prevention measures that influence the treatment plan are necessary.
What is the severity of gagging at Stage 4?
Stage 4 is Severe – gagging occurs during all dental procedures and significantly impacts the treatment plan.
How is Stage 5 gagging defined?
Stage 5 is Very Severe – gagging occurs easily without any triggers, impacts attendance and behaviour, and greatly affects the treatment plan.
What types of special needs patients might experience gagging issues?
Patients with behavioural or medical conditions, such as cerebral palsy or Parkinson’s disease, may experience gagging issues.
What tool can be used to assess anxiety in gagging patients?
The Modified Dental Anxiety Scale can be used to assess anxiety in gagging patients.
What are the non-pharmacological management strategies for gagging patients?
- behavioral management (with or without local anesthesia)
- iatrosedation
- hypnosis
- cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- time structuring (e.g., setting time limits like “I will drill for 10 seconds”).
What are some pharmacological methods for managing gagging?
- Premedication with temazepam
- Inhalation sedation
- Intravenous sedation (midazolam)
- Oral sedation
- Transmucosal sedation
- Intramuscular sedation
- Rectal sedation
- General anesthesia (GA)
What are the main indications for using general anaesthetic in dental treatment?
- Very young patients
- Uncooperative patients or those who failed conscious sedation
- Patients requiring unpleasant or complex procedures
- Patients with learning difficulties
- ASA groups 3 and 4 needing specialist care in hospital
- Patients with extreme anxiety
Why might general anaesthetic be chosen for very young patients?
GA is used when very young patients are uncooperative or cannot manage dental procedures with conscious sedation.
What ASA groups indicate a need for specialist care under general anaesthesia?
ASA groups 3 and 4, who have more significant medical risks, may require GA in a hospital setting for specialist care.
What are some disadvantages of general anaesthetic?
- Greatest potential risk to patients
- Most expensive method of treatment
- Requires an accredited anaesthetist and a well-trained team
- Requires high-standard equipment that is regularly serviced
- GA facilities are subject to inspection and regulation
- The team must have advanced life support skills
Why is general anaesthetic considered the most expensive method of dental treatment?
GA is the most expensive because it requires specialised staff (accredited anaesthetist), high-standard equipment, and strict regulatory oversight, all of which increase costs.
What is the definition of conscious sedation?
Conscious sedation is “a technique in which the use of a drug or drugs produces a state of depression of the CNS enabling treatment to be carried out, but during which verbal contact is maintained throughout. The drugs and techniques used should carry a wide margin of safety to render loss of consciousness unlikely.”
What are key safety features of conscious sedation?
- The patient remains conscious with communication maintained
- The patient can spontaneously maintain their airway, and protective reflexes are intact
- Minimal cardio-respiratory depression
- It is reversible
- Strict guidelines ensure patient safety
What are the main indications for conscious sedation?
- Anxious patients
- Patients with a gagging reflex
- Persistent fainting
- Medically compromised patients
- Systemic diseases exacerbated by stress (e.g., ischemic heart disease, hypertension, asthma)
- Movement disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s)
- Mild/moderate mental or physical disabilities
- For unpleasant or “nasty” procedures
Name some systemic diseases that might be exacerbated by stress and are indications for conscious sedation.
Systemic diseases include ischaemic heart disease (IHD), hypertension, and asthma.
What are some contraindications for conscious sedation?
- Social issues (patient unwilling or uncooperative)
- Severe or uncontrolled systemic disease
- Severe psychiatric problems
- Hepatic insufficiency
- Pregnancy
- Procedures that are too long or too traumatic
What qualities define the ideal sedative?
- safe
- simple
- has a rapid onset and recovery
- provides analgesia
- possibly causes amnesia
- Is acceptable to the patient
- Compatible with other systemic drugs
- Has no side effects
- Is reversible
- Low cost
- Easy to titrate
Why is hepatic insufficiency a contraindication for conscious sedation?
Hepatic insufficiency may impair drug metabolism, making sedation unsafe or unpredictable.