Sedation
Jacqueline Yip, DMD
Pediatric Dental Resident
Bon Secours - St. Mary’s Hospital of Richmond, VA
Bon Secours - St. Mary’s Hospital of Richmond, VA
Richmond, Virginia, United States
Unkel John, DDS, MD
Bon Secours - St. Mary’s Hospital of Richmond,VA
Elizabeth Berry, DDS, MPH, MSD
Bon Secours - St. Mary’s Hospital of Richmond,VA
Richmond, Virginia, United States
Dennis Reinhartz, PhD
Bon Secours - St. Mary's Hospital, VA
Judy Reinhartz, PhD
Bon Secours - St. Mary's Hospital, VA
John H. Unkel, DDS, MD
Medical Director
Bon Secours - St. Mary’s Hospital of Richmond,VA
Richmond, Virginia, United States
Elizabeth Berry, DDS, MPH, MSD
Bon Secours - St. Mary’s Hospital of Richmond,VA
Richmond, Virginia, United States
Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of intranasal dexmedetomidine with other sedation modalities as a sedative agent for pediatric dental treatment.
Methods: This prospective study recruited 17 children, 3-6 years old, who received dental treatment with moderate sedation. Three drug modalities were utilized: 1) oral midazolam with nitrous oxide sedation (MID), 2) intranasal dexmedetomidine with nitrous oxide sedation (DEX), and 3) oral midazolam and oral hydroxyzine with nitrous oxide sedation (MIDHYD). Demographics data, vital signs, and adverse events were recorded. A standardized scale, modified from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, was used to evaluate the effectiveness based on sedation level and behavior.
Results: The sedation level for the DEX group was consistent with the other sedation modalities. Treatment was completed and scored effective in 66.7% for patients given MID, 75% for patients given DEX, and 71.4% for patients given MIDHYD. There were no major adverse events for any of the three groups.
Conclusions: Dexmedetomidine is an effective and safe medication for pediatric sedation for dentistry. Dexmedetomidine provides adequate sedation effects compared to oral midazolam and oral midazolam combined with hydroxyzine.