title: Benzodiazepines: Sedation and Agitation.
abstract: Dental anxiety is common and frequently poses a barrier to necessary dental treatment. The increasing availability of conscious sedation in dental practice has made treatment much more accessible for anxious patients. At present, benzodiazepines are the most commonly used drugs in sedation practice and provide a pleasant experience for most, but not all, patients. An understanding of the mechanism of action of benzodiazepines should inform our practice and deepen our understanding of why and how sedation may fail. CPD/CLINICAL RELEVANCE: As an increasing number of dentists provide sedation for their patients an update on benzodiazepines is timely.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gallagher
mesh_terms: D017109:Akathisia, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology*; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000379:methods*; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005442:Flumazenil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008874:Midazolam / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D005442:Flumazenil; D008874:Midazolam