Sedation for the Pediatric Patient

Abstract

Sedation of children is a very common and accepted modality of patient management during potentially painful procedures. Its popularity is due, in part, to its effective and efficient ability to overcome in variable degrees the mental and emotional anguish and behavioral expressions of the patient. Establishing and adhering to a good sedation protocol can facilitate pharmacological management of the child and minimize the likelihood of making an error. Several monitors are used in clinical dentistry, and they can be broadly categorized as electronic and non-electronic (pulse oximeter and precordial stethoscope, respectively). When used properly, capnography is the only monitor on the market that indicates some degree of the airway patency. Practitioners who provide sedation services to pediatric patients should train or provide training options for their staff. Sedation guidelines stress the importance of recognition of emergencies, and the knowledge and skills to perform emergency management interventions.