NHS Given New Conscious Sedation Guidelines

Mon, 21 Jan 2008

New guidelines are being prepared for the NHS on the use of conscious sedation for patients with an innate fear of visiting the dentist .

The conscious sedation of anxious patients during treatment guidelines are outlined in ‘The Guidelines for the Appointment of DwSIs in Conscious Sedation’ and were put together by the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) and the Department of Health (DoH) .

The guidelines are aimed at developing a framework for Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) in which conscious sedation services can be developed, and to give a list of competencies for NHS dentists interested in training in that area.

Research suggests many people avoid dental treatment because of their phobia of the dentist, therefore the introduction of conscious sedation – administered intravenously, orally or via inhalation – could be an effective method of managing both pain and anxiety .

Conscious sedation allows the patient to maintain control over their breathing and swallowing during treatment and is best suited to patients who fear needles; patients who require multiple dental procedures; patients who have a strong gag reflex and patients suffering from other physical disabilities.

Standard conscious sedation techniques are suitable for use by all appropriately trained and experienced primary care dentists .

However, a DwSI in conscious sedation may be able to provide more advanced or ‘alternative' conscious sedation techniques and offer conscious sedation for patients with more complex medical histories and/or treatment needs.

David Craig, chair of the working group which developed the guidelines and Head of Sedation and Special Care Dentistry at Kings College London Dental Institute, said: "There is a shortage of suitably trained and experienced dentists who are able to offer alternative sedation techniques for the small number of patients who cannot be safely and effectively managed using standard techniques."
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