title: Defining Over-Sedation: Literature Review and National Survey of Dental Hospitals Within the United Kingdom.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the literature, to investigate whether there was aconsensus on what encompasses over-sedation, and to determine the guidance employed for the administration of flumazenil.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search was performed following which a self-designed questionnaire was emailed to 14 sedation leads within UK Dental Hospitals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  10 documents in the literature review met the inclusion criteria. In their definitions of over-sedation, loss of consciousness and respiratory depression were the main terms used; but a variety of terms were also seen, indicating a lack of agreement. Fourteen dental institutes were contacted of which nine (64%) responded. Thirty-seven per cent of sedation leads who responded stated they were unaware of a definition for over-sedation. Seventy-seven percent stated that when flumazenil was used this was recorded in a drugs book, with a broad range of justifications given.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that there is a lack of uniformity both from clinicians and the literature, in what encompasses over-sedation. This makes formulating an accepted definition of over-sedation difficult. In order to ensure accurate reporting, monitoring and auditing of such events, a clear definition for over-sedation is required and can be used to provide clarity when flumazenil is to be administered.
authors.forename: Zehra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yonel
authors.forename: Abisola
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Asuni
authors.forename: Pankaj
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Taneja
mesh_terms: D000931:Antidotes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D032921:Consensus; D062787:Drug Overdose; D005442:Flumazenil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D000931:Antidotes; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D005442:Flumazenil