Work

Intravenous sedation for adults with profound acquired brain injury undergoing dental treatment - a seven-year service evaluation

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Dental treatment may not be possible for patients with a profound acquired brain injury without pharmacological support. Intravenous (IV) sedation with midazolam is a widely accepted, safe, and effective mode of treatment for people with a disability, but there is limited evidence in this patient cohort. AIMS: This evaluation aimed to review the IV sedation service for patients with profound acquired brain injury within the dental department at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability. METHOD: This study was a retrospective service evaluation of IV sedation for dental treatment over seven years. Descriptive statistics are presented. RESULTS: In total, 303 episodes of sedation were undertaken at the Royal Hospital of Neurodisability over seven years. Ninety-two percent were graded with an American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) grade 3, and one-third had a history of stroke. 91% had treatment completed successfully. Complications occurred in 7.9% of cases, but all were minor, with no resulting patient harm (e.g. a transient drop in oxygen saturation). CONCLUSION: Dentist-led IV sedation with midazolam is safe and effective for dental treatment for patients with a profound acquired brain injury in a specialised setting with experienced clinicians.

Source: BDJ Open

DOI: 10.1038/s41405-024-00289-2

Authors: Mili Doshi, Ahmed Kahatab, Louise Gallagher, Ria Prasad, Richard Fitzgerald

Institutions: Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Language: English

Topic: Dental Anxiety and Anesthesia Techniques

Subfield: Oral Surgery

Field: Dentistry

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,390