The use of sedation agents by Canadian pediatric dentists.

Members of the Canadian Academy of Paediatric Dentistry were surveyed about their current use of pharmacological agents for child management. The survey questioned the frequency of drug usage with patients, the most commonly used drugs and the methods of drug administration. The purpose of this paper is to report the results of that survey. The data revealed that 49% of the pediatric dentists received their postdoctoral education in the United States. The majority were trained in postdoctoral university based programs and primarily are engaged in private practice. Oral sedation remains the most popular method of drug administration. Chloral hydrate and diazepam were reported as the main oral sedation agents. The next most popular method was inhalation sedation. Skin color and respiration were monitored. Apparently, 25% of the dentists did not routinely use monitoring methods with their patients. Eighty-five per cent of pediatric dentists indicated that they treated patients in the hospital. Of this group, 46 attended the hospital at least twice monthly and 29 % provided hospital patient care weekly or more often. Surveys have been conducted to examine sedation practices of pediatric dentists (Duncan et al. 1983; Houpt 1986). Since these surveys have taken place in the United States, they do not necessarily reflect Canadian activity. This paper reports the results of a survey which obtained information about the use of sedation agents by Canadian pediatric dental specialists. Materials and Methods A paper and pencil questionnaire (Fig 1, page 309) was mailed to 113 members of the Canadian Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (CAPD) who were resident Canada. Accompanying the questionnaire was an introductory letter informing the participants of the nature of the survey and urging them to reply anonymously. The primary objectives of the questionnaire were to determine: (1) the most commonly used sedation agents; (2) the most common routes of drug administration; and (3) variables influencing sedation practices. In the process of developing the questionnaire, consideration was given to the oral and parenteral medications in common usage in the United States. Separate questions also were directed toward nitrous oxide (N20) usage. Although this agent could simply be considered as another premedicating drug, its armamentarium and method of administration make it unique from other agents used in pediatric dentistry. Questions also were posed about the utilization of hospitals, because this could have some bearing on the need for sedation in practice.