title: [Nitrous-oxide sedation indispensable in the dental care of anxious people and the mentally impaired].
abstract: The long-term occupational exposure to high concentrations of nitrous oxide in health-care workers in a Dutch hospital, with probable adverse effects on their offspring, has triggered a discussion about the benefits and risks of nitrous oxide. In Dutch dentistry, nitrous-oxide sedation is a valuable and indispensable aid in the treatment of patients with challenging behaviour, such as those with mental impairment or in extremely-anxious adults and children. Nitrousoxide sedation can be used without risk to the dental team, provided that measures are taken for sufficient scavenging and room ventilation. A possible ban on nitrous oxide would be a major setback for specialty-care dentistry in the Netherlands.
authors.affiliation: Stichting voor Bijzondere Tandheelkunde, afd. Angstbegeleiding & Gehandicaptenzorg, Amsterdam. p.makkes@sbt.acta.nl
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Makkes
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Jonker
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Turk
mesh_terms: D000766:Anesthesia, Dental; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000379:methods; D000075202:Contraindications; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D009609:Nitrous Oxide