Sedation in primary dental care: an investigation in two districts of northern England.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the current provision of sedation in primary dental care and investigate the knowledge and attitudes of dental practitioners and others on the use of sedation.


METHODS
Qualitative interviews and postal questionnaire survey.


METHODS
Health districts of Bradford (West Yorkshire) and South Durham, UK in 1996.


METHODS
15 key individuals associated with NHS primary dental services were interviewed. Questionnaires were sent to all 260 NHS general dental practitioners and community dental service clinicians.


RESULTS
208 questionnaires (80%) were returned. 42% of respondents reported current sedation use, with oral administration the favoured technique (26%). Significant differences were found between districts for intravenous sedation use (7% Bradford, 41% South Durham, P < 0.001). Almost all participants agreed the value of sedation in dental care for adults and children, for nervous, phobic patients or in association with unpleasant forms of treatment and 45% of dentists felt that provision should be expanded. Training, availability of referral services, finance and patient demand were seen as encouraging factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Substantial variations in sedation provision between the two districts were associated with teaching at the nearest dental schools. Innovative use of resources could help the expansion of provision supported in this study.
Whiston
S
S
Northallerton Health Authority, Archer Street Clinic, Darlington, County Durham.
Prendergast
M J
MJ
Williams
S A
SA
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D002648:Child; D003149:Community Dentistry / Q000193:education; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control; D003729:Dental Care / Q000191:economics; D003815:Dentists; D004739:England; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000193:education; D015276:Health Care Rationing; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists' / Q000191:economics; D012017:Referral and Consultation
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives