Pediatric dentistry
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Pediatric dentistry · Feb 2009
Practice GuidelineGuideline for monitoring and management of pediatric patients during and after sedation for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
The safe sedation of children for procedures requires a systematic approach that includes the following: no administration of sedating medication without the safety net of medical supervision, careful presedation evaluation for underlying medical or surgical conditions that would place the child at increased risk from sedating medications, appropriate fasting for elective procedures and a balance between depth of sedation and risk for those who are unable to fast because of the urgent nature of the procedure, a focused airway examination for large tonsils or anatomic airway abnormalities that might increase the potential for airway obstruction, a clear understanding of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of the medications used for sedation as well as an appreciation for drug interactions, appropriate training and skills in airway management to allow rescue of the patient, age- and size-appropriate equipment for airway management and venous access, appropriate medications and reversal agents, sufficient numbers of people to both carry out the procedure and monitor the patient, appropriate physiologic monitoring during and after the procedure, a properly equipped and staffed recovery area, recovery to presedation level of consciousness before discharge from medical supervision, and appropriate discharge instructions.
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The field of orofacial pain is broad and includes pain conditions affecting the head, face, neck, and intraoral structures. Much has been written about orofacial pain, specifically chronic pain conditions affecting adults. ⋯ The objective of this paper was to increase awareness and provide information regarding neuropathic orofacial pain in children and adolescents, as pediatric dentists may be asked to participate in the treatment of these patients. Moreover, an accurate history and examination can lead to on early diagnosis of the pain condition, thus avoiding unnecessary or inappropriate dental procedures.
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Pediatric dentistry · Jul 2008
Practices and opinions of pediatric and general dentists in Connecticut regarding the age 1 dental visit and dental care for children younger than 3 years old.
This study aimed to determine the percentage of general and pediatric dentists in Connecticut that were aware of, and practice, the current AAPD guidelines for the age one dental visit and to determine the services they provide to 0-2-yr-old patients. ⋯ Nearly all Connecticut pediatric dentists are caring for 0-2-yr-olds compared to 42% of Connecticut general dentists.