title: The use of sedatives in dental care: legal aspects in Sweden.
abstract: The patient's rights and the dentist's obligations within Swedish dental care are governed by the Dental Care Act. The general dentist Instruction enjoins on every dentist, in accordance with science and tested experience, to advise and, as far as possible, to inform the patient about the treatment the patient's condition requires. Dentists have the right to prescribe sedative drugs. Intravenous injection of sedative agents may not at present be used by dentists. Dentists have the right to use nitrous oxide analgesia after undergoing training approved by the National Board of Health and Welfare. With regard to the nitrous oxide apparatus, it is stipulated that the concentration of oxygen must never fall below 40% volume. There are special directions for ventilation in the treatment room, portable exsuction, and other measures when nitrous oxide analgesia is used. It is specially directed how dentists shall keep case records in general. Stipulations also exist for the keeping of case records on nitrous oxide analgesia. Dentists are bound to report secondary effects of drugs to the National Board of Health and Welfare.
authors.affiliation: National Board of Health and Welfare, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sundberg
mesh_terms: D003729:Dental Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013548:Sweden
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives