Program #10 Nitrous Oxide and N2O/Oral Sedation on the Dental Patient
Larry J. Sangrik, DDS
Audience Code: D, H, A 3 CEUs/Clinical Lecture
Increasingly, dental appointments are becoming more lengthy, more sophisticated, and more surgically oriented. Concurrently, contemporary patients are expecting not only technical excellence but also management of their anxiety by their dental team. This program is an excellent preface for the doctor considering entry into sedation dentistry or an established provider seeking an update on contemporary techniques. The program covers the basic aspects of nitrous oxide sedation with emphasis on the constant-flow technique. Both conventional nasal hoods and forced gas masks will be discussed. It will also address modifications in protocols and monitoring when combining nitrous oxide with an oral sedative such as a short-acting benzodiazepine.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the four states of anesthesia and the where nitrous oxide and N2O/oral sedation fits in that spectrum
- Know how to properly use the constant-flow technique for both a manual and digital nitrous oxide unit
- Value the establishment of a comprehensive office protocol for the use of nitrous oxide from pre-treatment planning to patient dismissal
- Appreciate a technique to safely modify nitrous oxide sedation by supplementing it with an oral sedative
SEE HANDOUT PAGE for ATTENDEE LECTURE MATERIAL (available in September)