title: Use of nitrous oxide and oxygen for conscious sedation to manage pain and anxiety.
abstract: A 13-item survey of dentist's views about approaches to pain and anxiety management was distributed in Atlantic Canada. Respondents indicated that about 50% had training in conscious-sedation techniques and 20% had learned to administer intravenous (IV) sedation. Sixty-nine percent of those responding had used oral sedatives to help manage fearful patients. Forty-six percent had referred anxious adult patients to specialists or other dentists, and 78% had made similar referrals for anxious children. Seventeen percent reported using conscious sedation, but they typically treated more than 20 anxious patients per year. Most (80%) believed that nitrous oxide and oxygen (N2O/O2) conscious sedation should be included in the treatments that a licensed practitioner can provide, and they were evenly divided in their opinion about the need for a separate licence for its use. However, only half of respondents believed that IV sedation should be included among a general practitioner"s treatment options, and over 70% said that this treatment should be subject to a separate licence. The implications of these findings for curriculum are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, Dalhousie University, 5981 University Avenue, Halifax, NS B3H 3J5.
authors.forename: Helen A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Ryding
authors.forename: H Joseph
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009509:New Brunswick; D009523:Newfoundland and Labrador; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009674:Nova Scotia; D010100:Oxygen / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011325:Prince Edward Island; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D010100:Oxygen