Understanding basic behavioral support techniques as an alternative to sedation and anesthesia

Treatment outcomes in adult patients experiencing dental anxiety: A comparative retrospective study

AIMS

To assess and compare the effectiveness of pharmacological and cognitive-behavioral modalities-behavioral methods (BM), nitrous oxide inhalation sedation (NOIS), and premedication with Diazepam-for alleviating anxiety during dental treatment, using completed treatment sessions and adverse outcomes as indicators.

METHODS AND RESULTS

For 239 patients (515 dental records), 18-53 y/o, who underwent dental treatments under anxiety reduction measures, sessions under NOIS were categorized as "nitrous group" (456 sessions) versus premedication with Diazepam or behavioral strategies (control, 59 sessions). Outcomes were completed treatment sessions considering demographic and clinical parameters, and adverse outcomes during and between sessions. Adjusted logistic regression showed significantly higher odds of completing treatment sessions after NOIS (p = 0.014) as compared to controls. Univariate analyses demonstrated failure of anesthesia was higher in the control versus the nitrous group (p < 0.001). Adverse outcomes were more frequent in controls (p = 0.005). No significant effects of age, gender, and general health condition on completion rates of treatment plans were demonstrated. The complexity of the treatment plan had a significant effect on its completion (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

NOIS modality yielded significantly superior outcomes as compared to BM and premedication with Diazepam, with no significant effects of age or gender on the completion of treatment plans.

The Role of Ibuprofen and Midazolam in Pediatric Dentistry: A Retrospective Study and Neurophysiological Considerations

Background: Managing anxiety and behavior during pediatric dental procedures is challenging. This study examines the effects of combining ibuprofen with midazolam sedation using both behavioral management and clinical hypnosis to improve patient cooperation and reduce post-treatment pain. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 311 children (mean age 74.2 months, standard deviation (SD) = 24.7) was conducted. Patients received either midazolam with ibuprofen (n = 156) or midazolam only (n = 155). Behavior was assessed using the Venham Behavior Rating Scale and anxiety with the Dental Subscale of Children's Fear Survey Schedule (CFSS-DS) and the Inventory of Stressful Situations (ISS) questionnaires. Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney U tests and correlation analyses. Results: Ibuprofen did not significantly improve behavior during procedures (drinking phase 0.61, SD 1.31, p = 0.13; before treatment 0.25, SD 0.93, p = 0.53, anesthesia 1.21, SD 1.55, p = 0.29; after treatment 0.51, SD 1.22, p = 0.68), indicating that pharmacological pain management alone is insufficient to address behavioral challenges. Ibuprofen significantly reduced post-treatment pain, with 7.2% of cases reporting pain in the non-ibuprofen group compared to none in the ibuprofen group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Ibuprofen had no effect on intraoperative behavior and only a limited effect on post-procedural pain, mainly for more invasive procedures. This study highlights the integration of sedation with behavioral strategies, such as clinical hypnosis, to manage anxiety and improve patient cooperation, aiming to enhance treatment outcomes using this integrative approach to pediatric dentistry. Further research is needed to optimize these strategies and verify them in a prospective setting.

The Use of Audiovisual Distraction Tools in the Dental Setting for Pediatric Subjects with Special Healthcare Needs: A Review and Proposal of a Multi-Session Model for Behavioral Management

BACKGROUND

A Special Health Care Need (SHCN) is characterized by any type of physical, mental, sensorial, cognitive, emotional, or developmental condition that requires medical treatment, specialized services, or healthcare interventions. These conditions can negatively impact oral health as SHCN children can hardly cooperate or communicate and experience higher levels of dental fear/anxiety, which interfere with regular appointments. The present narrative review aims to analyze the use of audiovisual (AV) tools in dental setting for the management of SHCN children during dental treatment and to evaluate their effectiveness in anxiety/behavior control from the child, dentist, and care-giver perspectives. This analysis leads to the proposal of a new multi-session model for the behavioral management of SHCN pediatric subjects.

METHODS

An electronic search on the MEDLINE/Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was carried out and through this analysis, a new model was proposed, the "UNISA-Virtual Stepwise Distraction model", a multi-session workflow combining traditional behavior management and the progressive introduction of AV media to familiarize the SHCN child with dental setting and manage behavior.

RESULTS

AV tools helped in most cases to manage SHCN behavior and decreased stress in both the dentist and child during dental treatments. Care-givers also welcomed AV distractors, reporting positive feedback in using them during future treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

The present narrative review found increasing evidence of the use of AV media for SHCN pediatric subjects as distraction tools during dental treatment. In the majority of the studies, AV tools proved to be effective for the management of anxiety, dental fear, and behavior in dental setting.

Postoperative evaluation of special needs and healthy patients with endodontic treatment under general anesthesia: a retrospective research

BACKGROUND

This retrospective clinical study was undertaken to comparatively evaluate the number of restorative treatments, endodontic treatments, and tooth extractions performed for patients under general anesthesia due to dental anxiety or special needs between 2015 and 2022 and to examine the pain, bleeding, nausea, and vomiting data of those patients.

METHODS

In total, 1165 patients underwent dental treatment under general anesthesia in the faculty hospital. Those under the age of 15 and with no endodontic procedure planned (n = 918) were excluded, followed by those with incomplete data (n = 25) and those without endodontic treatment (n = 25). Patients who underwent at least one endodontic treatment were finally included in the study (n = 184). Patients were divided into two groups: healthy and with special needs. Dental treatments were recorded as endodontic, restorative, and teeth extractions. Endodontic treatments were classified according to the tooth type (premolar, molar, and incisors). The composite restorations were classified as anterior, occlusal (O), occluso-distal (OD) or occluso-mesial (OM), and mesio-occluso-distal (MOD) restorations and patients' post-treatment pain, nausea, vomiting, and bleeding were recorded. The data were analyzed statistically.

RESULTS

Among the 184 patients included in the study, 70 (38%) were healthy, and 114 (62%) had special needs. Postoperative bleeding was observed more in patients with special needs (χ2 = 4.189, p < 0.05), whereas pain was observed more in healthy patients (U = 2922.00, p < 0.05). While the number of anterior, O, and MOD restorations was higher in patients with special needs, the number of OD or OM restorations was higher in healthy patients (χ2 = 74.877, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with special needs undergo a greater number of restorative treatments compared to control patients, which may be associated with the inadequate oral hygiene care of such patients. However, restorative treatment is mostly indicated for such patients in our faculty hospital, which may indicate that a conservative approach is taken. Additionally, the finding that postoperative bleeding was more severe in this group of patients compared to the control group in this study may emphasize the need to consider more possible complications after general anesthesia in these patients.

Labels and descriptions of dental behaviour support techniques: A scoping review of clinical practice guidelines

INTRODUCTION

There is no agreed taxonomy of the techniques used to support patients to receive professional oral healthcare. This lack of specification leads to imprecision in describing, understanding, teaching and implementing behaviour support techniques in dentistry (DBS).

METHODS

This review aims to identify the labels and associated descriptors used by practitioners to describe DBS techniques, as a first step in developing a shared terminology for DBS techniques. Following registration of a protocol, a scoping review limited to Clinical Practice Guidelines only was undertaken to identify the labels and descriptors used to refer to DBS techniques.

RESULTS

From 5317 screened records, 30 were included, generating a list of 51 distinct DBS techniques. General anaesthesia was the most commonly reported DBS (n = 21). This review also explores what term is given to DBS techniques as a group (Behaviour management was most commonly used (n = 8)) and how these techniques were categorized (mainly distinguishing between pharmacological and non-pharmacological).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first attempt to generate a list of techniques that can be selected for patients and marks an initial step in future efforts at agreeing and categorizing these techniques into an accepted taxonomy, with all the benefits this brings to research, education, practice and patients.

Subjective versus objective, polymer bur-based selective carious tissue removal: 2-year randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to compare subjective (S) selective carious tissue removal using hand instruments versus objective (O) removal using a self-limiting polymer bur in a single-blind cluster-randomized controlled superiority trial.

METHODS

115 children (aged 7-8 years) with ≥1 vital primary molar with a deep dentin lesion (>1/2 dentin depth) were included and randomized (60 S/55 O); all eligible molars in a child were treated identically (91 S/86 O). Cavities were prepared and carious tissue on pulpal walls selectively removed using hand instruments (S) or a self-limiting polymer bur (Polybur P1, Komet), followed by restoration using a glass hybrid material (Equia Forte, GC). Treatment time and satisfaction data have been reported in a 1-year-interim report. We here report on 2 year survival (tooth retained with or without further retreatments being needed, or tooth exfoliated), analyzed using multi-level Cox-regression analysis, as well as success (ART criteria 0/1, no pulpal complications, no re-intervention needed, or tooth extraction).

RESULTS

71 restorations in S and 65 in O were examined after a mean (SD, range) of 22 (11; 3-31) months, of which 50 S and 48 O restorations were successful and 70 S and 65 O survived. The majority of failures were restorative, not pulpal, and distribution of ART codes was not significant different between groups. Risk of failure was not significantly associated with the removal protocol (HR; 95 % CI: 0.95; 0.51-1.78), and also not age, sex or dental arch, while single surfaced restorations showed significantly lower hazard (0.14; 0.06-0.37).

CONCLUSION

There was no significant difference in success or survival between objective and subjective carious tissue removal.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

In primary teeth, subjective selective excavation had no disadvantage compared with objective excavation, which required a separate instrument (polymer-based bur) for carious tissue removal. Polymer-based burs may be particularly useful when standardized excavation is needed.

Chairside oral prophylaxis for people with profound intellectual or multiple disabilities-a retrospective feasibility study

OBJECTIVES

People with severe intellectual or multiple disabilities (PIMD) have been receiving dental care in a specialized unit offering special care dentistry. For most of these adult patients, the initial consultation is complaint driven. In addition, the limited ability to cooperate due to their disabilities often means that dental treatment for these patients is usually carried out under general anesthesia (GA). Chairside treatment attempts are the exception rather than the rule. This retrospective study evaluated whether consistent practice of behavioral management principles and techniques embedded in a specific dental environment enables successful dental treatment of PIMD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The feasibility of chairside dental prophylaxis in PIMD (n=36) was analyzed: specific behavioral management techniques were applied, and professional tooth cleaning (PTC) was performed in the dental chair. Clinical data obtained from medical records and a questionnaire were analyzed.

RESULTS

All patients had severe intellectual or multiple disabilities and had previously undergone at least one dental treatment under GA. Of these patients, 55.6% never had their teeth professionally cleaned before. Applying different behavioral techniques, all patients were compliant with receiving PTC in the dental chair.

CONCLUSIONS

An individualized and disability-specific treatment strategy using various noninvasive and nonpharmacological behavioral guidance techniques resulted in a higher compliance rate in PIMD, which allowed chairside PTC and reduced the need for treatment under GA.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Consistent implementation of various behavioral guidance techniques and communication strategies in a supportive environment enabled all patients to receive chairside PTC and be involved in a lifelong recall program.

Preliminary Results of an Interdisciplinary Behavioral Program to Improve Access to Preventative Dental Care for Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (AIDD) experience significant oral health disparities, partially due to perceived behavioral issues. This article describes the preliminary outcomes of a developing interdisciplinary (dental, medical, behavioral) program involving a behavioral intervention for AIDD previously receiving preventative dental care with sedation, general anesthesia, or protective stabilization (SAS). After a baseline assessment, a board-certified behavior analyst implemented increasingly complex behavioral interventions during simulated dental visits. Prior to COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions, there were 32 active participants; 15 (46.9%) successfully completed a focused, real dental exam with simple behavioral interventions and 17 (53.1%) remain in treatment. These preliminary results suggest that many AIDD previously receiving SAS may participate in a preventative dental exam with minimal behavioral supports, if given the opportunity.

From Restraint to Medical Immobilization/Protective Stabilization

Clinical dental treatment is the most exacting and demanding medical procedure that persons with special needs undergo on a regular basis throughout their lifetime. Dental treatment is surgical in nature, usually requiring controlled placement of sharpened instrumentation in intimate proximity to the face, airway, and highly vascularized and inner aged oral tissues. Although approximately 90% of patients with special needs can and should be mainstreamed through any general dental practice, without significant behavioral guidance, techniques, or medical immobilization/protective stabilization, there has been a drastic shift toward pharmacologic management of these patients using various forms of sedation and general anesthesia.

Development of a new tool for predicting the behavior of individuals with intellectual disability in the dental office: A pilot study

BACKGROUND

The dental treatment of individuals with intellectual disability can represent a considerable professional challenge.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a model for predicting the behavior of patients with intellectual disability in the dental office.

METHODS

The study group comprised 250 patients with Down syndrome (DS), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), cerebral palsy (CP), idiopathic cognitive impairment or rare disorders. We collected their demographic, medical, social and behavioral information and identified potential predictors (chi-squared test). We developed stratified models (Akaike information criterion) to anticipate the patients'behavior during intraoral examinations and to discern whether the dental treatment should be performed under general anesthesia. These models were validated in a new study group consisting of 80 patients. Goodness of fit was quantified with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). We developed a mathematical algorithm for executing the models and developed software for its practical implementation (PREdictors of BEhavior in Dentistry, "PREBED").

RESULTS

For patients with DS, ASD and CP, the model predicting the need for physical restraint during examination achieved a PPV of 0.90, 0.85 and 1.00, respectively, and an NPV of 0.66, 0.76 and 1.00, respectively. The model predicting the need for performing treatment under general anesthesia achieved a PPV of 0.63, 1.00 and 1.00, respectively, and an NPV of 1.00, 1.00 and 0.73, respectively. However, when validating the stratified models, the percentage of poorly classified individuals (false negatives + false positives) ranged from 24% to 46.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the PREBED tool open the door to establishing new models implementing other potentially predictive variables.

Barriers and facilitators in the orthodontic treatment of teenagers with neurodevelopmental disabilities

INTRODUCTION

Patients with neurodevelopmental disabilities often experience barriers to dental care. Despite greater access to orthodontic treatment, information about the perceptions of patients with neurodevelopmental disabilities regarding orthodontic care remains scarce. The objective of this research was to investigate perceptions of patients, caretakers, and orthodontic residents regarding the barriers to and facilitators of orthodontic care for patients with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

METHODS

A qualitative study was conducted through semistructured interviews of 26 subjects: 10 patients with neurodevelopmental disabilities (4 with cognitive disabilities, 4 with autism spectrum disorder, and 2 with communication disorder), 8 caretakers, and 8 orthodontic residents. The responses were analyzed qualitatively by content analysis.

RESULTS

Four dimensions of analysis were identified: previous experience, barriers to care, facilitators of care, and perception of care. There are different orthodontic care barriers and facilitators perceived by patients, caretakers, and residents treating patients with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Factors such as the reason for consultation, previous experience or exposure to orthodontic care or attention, and personal motivation of those involved were used to model the care of these patients.

CONCLUSIONS

There are barriers and facilitators in orthodontic care for patients with neurodevelopmental disabilities, caretakers, and orthodontic residents. Educational programs in orthodontics must work to improve access and care for patients and educational training programs for students and clinical faculty.

BeSiDe time to move behavior support in dentistry from an art to a science: A position paper from the BeSiDe (Behavior Support in Dentistry) Group

AIMS

To share the need for agreement in terminology around how people are supported to receive dental care.

METHOD

In this position paper, we make the case for a shift in behavior support in dentistry from an art to a science.

RESULTS

We outline why we need agreement on the definition of behavior support across dentistry, agreement on underlying theory, aims and values, and why we need agreement on terms for specific techniques.

CONCLUSIONS

We share how patients and dental teams can benefit through better science, education and practice of dental behaviour support.

How dentists learn behaviour support skills for adults with intellectual developmental disorders: A qualitative analysis

INTRODUCTION

An understanding of how dentists develop patient support techniques for use with adults with intellectual developmental disorders (IDD) may lead to a better understanding of how these techniques can be taught. In this study, we explored how skilled dentists developed non-physical, non-pharmacological patient support techniques (nPSTs) for use with adults with IDD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Adopting a qualitative descriptive design, a synchronous online group interview was undertaken with six dentists. Informants were subsequently contacted in pairs, or individually, for further interview. All data were analysed using thematic content analysis. Author biases and rigour are considered.

RESULTS

Three categories emerged: Motivation to learn; Formal learning; and Informal learning, and the latter had three subcategories: Observation; Trial; and error and Experience. Motivators to learn PST skills included perceived empathy and a sense of responsibility towards patients with IDD. Formal undergraduate learning was lacking leaving dentists to rely on paediatric training "A paediatric model from your training… needs to be restructured and re-emphasised with people with disabilities as they progress through the lifespan.", whereas specialist training was reported to be helpful where available. Over time, practitioners developed an individualised skillset through observation, trial and error and experience. "You learn. Just like any job, you learn on the job. You learn a lot from experience and mistakes."

DISCUSSION

Essential patient support skills appear to be acquired in an ad hoc manner. How dentists learn their skills has implications for dental training for future and current dental professionals.

CONCLUSIONS

Specific recommendations to improve education are made.

Subjective versus objective, polymer bur-based selective carious tissue removal: 1-year interim analysis of a randomized clinical trial

We aimed to compare subjective (S) vs. objective (O) selective carious tissue removal using hand-excavation versus a self-limiting polymer bur, respectively. A community-based single-blind cluster-randomized controlled superiority trial was performed. This is a 1-year-interim analysis. 115 children (age 7-8 years) with ≥1 vital primary molar with a deep dentin lesion (>1/2 dentin depth) were included (60 S/55 O). The cluster was the child, with eligible molars being treated identically (91 S/86 O). Cavities were prepared and carious tissue on pulpo-proximal walls selectively removed using hand instruments (S), or a self-limiting polymer bur (Polybur P1, Komet). Cavities were restored using glass-hybrid material (Equia Forte, GC). Treatment times and children's satisfaction were recorded. Generalized-linear models (GLM) and multi-level Cox-regression analysis were applied. Initial treatment times were not significantly different between protocols (mean; 95%CI S: 433; 404-462 sec; O: 412; 382-441 sec; p = 0.378/GLM). There was no significant difference in patients' satisfaction (p = 0.164). No pulpal exposures occurred. 113 children were re-examined. Failures occurred in 22/84 O-molars (26.2%) and 26/90 S-molars (28.9%). Pulpal complications occurred in 5(6%) O and 2(2.2%) S molars, respectively. Risk of failure was not significantly associated with the removal protocol, age, sex, dental arch or tooth type (p > 0.05/Cox), but was nearly 5-times higher in multi-surface than single-surface restorations (HR: 4.60; 95% CI: 1.70-12.4). Within the limitations of this interim analysis, there was no significant difference in treatment time, satisfaction and risk of failure between O and S.

Communication-based behaviour support for adults with intellectual disabilities receiving dental care: A focus group study exploring dentists' decision-making and communication

A better understanding of how communication-based behaviour supports are applied with adults with intellectual disabilities may reduce reliance on restrictive practices such as holding, sedation and anaesthesia in dentistry. In this study, we explore how communication is used by dentists who provide treatment for adults with intellectual disabilities. A descriptive qualitative study, adopting synchronous online focus groups, was undertaken with six expert dentists in Ireland. Members were contacted again in pairs or individually for further data collection, analysed using thematic content analysis. Two relevant categories emerged from the data, relating to the selection and application of communication-based behaviour support for adults with intellectual disabilities. Decision-making processes were explored. Building on these categories, a co-regulating process of communication emerged as the means by which dentists iteratively apply and adapt communicative strategies. This exploration revealed rationalist and intuitive decision-making. Implications for education, practice and research are identified.

Nonpharmacological techniques to support patients with intellectual developmental disorders to receive dental treatment: A systematic review of behavior change techniques

AIMS

To identify the nonpharmacological patient-support techniques (nPSTs) reported, used or recommended for people with intellectual-developmental-disorders (IDD) to receive dental treatment; to identify their active ingredients and evaluate their effectiveness by adopting an existing taxonomy of behavior-change techniques (BCTs).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Following a protocol, a search strategy was undertaken using Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Cinahl, and Psychinfo (EBSCO). Selection criteria were applied, with review and extraction in duplicate. A comprehensive list of nPSTs were identified and coded by their constituent behavior-change techniques (BCTs), where BCT-taxonomy-Version-1 criteria were satisfied. Quality assessment was undertaken and effectiveness of BCTs reported. From 915 screened articles, 23 were included. In 207 instances nPSTs were identified, representing 46 distinct nPST techniques, such as positive-reinforcement (n = 18) and tell-show-do (n = 9). Of the 207 nPST codes, 135 were coded as BCTs (65.2%). The most commonly coded BCT was demonstration of the behavior (BCT6.1; n = 25). Considering studies of interventions (n = 11), all were at moderate to critical risk of bias. No interventions or outcome measures were comparable across studies.

CONCLUSION

This is the first review to bring together techniques dentists use in practice and theory-driven BCTs. A significant overlap between nPSTs and BCTs was evident supporting the use of BCT taxonomy to code dental interventions. No strong evidence supporting any intervention was identified.

Parasympathetic effect of deep pressure input on third molar extraction in adolescents

BACKGROUD/PURPOSE

Deep pressure input is used to normalize physiological arousal due to stress. Third molar extraction is an invasive dental procedure with high stress for the patient, and an alleviation strategy is rarely applied during tooth extraction. In the present study, we investigated the effects of deep pressure input on autonomic responses during the procedures of third molar extraction in healthy adolescents.

METHODS

A randomized controlled crossover design was used for adolescents who were allocated to experimental and control groups that received intervention with or without deep pressure input, respectively. Autonomic indicators, namely the heart rate, percentage of low-frequency heart rate variability (LF-HRV), percentage of high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV), and low-frequency/high-frequency heart rate variability ratio (LF/HF-HRV), were assessed at the baseline, during molar extraction, and in the posttreatment phase.

RESULTS

The results indicated that third molar extraction caused significant autonomic parameter changes in both groups; however, differential response patterns were observed between two groups. In particular, application of deep pressure input in the experimental group was associated with higher HF-HRV and lower LF/HF-HRV during third molar extraction compared with those in the control group.

CONCLUSION

LF/HF-HRV measurement revealed balanced sympathovagal activation in response to deep pressure application. The present study suggests that the application of deep pressure alters the response of HF-HRV and facilitate maintaining sympathovagal balance during third molar extraction.

Effects of audiovisual distraction in children with special healthcare needs during dental restorations: a randomized crossover clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Audiovisual distraction using video eyeglasses is useful in managing distress and reducing fear and anxiety in healthy children during dental treatments.

AIM

To evaluate the effect of audiovisual distraction on behavior and self-reported pain of children with special healthcare needs (SHCN) without intellectual disability during dental restorations and its influence on the operator stress and the time of the appointment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This randomized controlled crossover trial comprised 48 children with SHCN requiring at least two dental restorations. One restoration was done wearing the video eyeglasses and one wearing conventional behavior management techniques. Subjective and objective pain was evaluated using the Faces Pain Scale - Revised (FPS-R) and the revised Face, Leg, Activity, Cry, and Consolability scale (r-FLACC). The operator stress using a VAS, the time of the appointment, and the child satisfaction were recorded.

RESULTS

The use of video eyeglasses significantly reduced the operator stress. The bivariate analysis showed that the mean FPS-R score and the mean r-FLACC score were significantly lower using the video eyeglasses only during the second clinical session.

CONCLUSION

Audiovisual distraction could be useful in managing distress in SHCN children without intellectual disability but cannot replace the conventional behavior management techniques.

The feasibility of office-based propofol sedation for dental care in patients with intellectual disability by sedation practitioners

BACKGROUND

The quality of oral health care for intellectually disabled patients is a significant challenge due to behavioral issues. Intravenous propofol sedation may be useful to relieve the anxiety and fear, and make dental procedures more acceptable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of propofol sedation, by trained nonmedical sedation practitioners, during dental treatments in an office-based setting.

METHODS

Intellectually disabled patients (124) were subjected to restorative dental procedures and moderately sedated using intravenous propofol. Vital signs, cooperation of the patient, and sedation depth were continuously assessed.

RESULTS

Propofol sedation was effective for dental treatment. All procedures resulted in a sufficient level of sedation without moderate or severe complications.

CONCLUSION

Propofol sedation can be safely and effectively performed in an office-based setting by sedation practitioners, who have experience in propofol sedation and are trained in the care of patients with disabilities.

Physiologic and behavioral effects of papoose board on anxiety in dental patients with special needs

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Anxiety induced by dental treatment can become a serious problem, especially for patients with special needs. Application of deep touch pressure, which is a sensory adaptation technique, may ameliorate anxiety in disabled patients. However, few empiric studies have investigated the possible links between the clinical effects of deep touch pressure and its behavioral and physiologic aspects. Equally little progress has been made concerning theoretical development. The current study is a crossover intervention trial to investigate the behavioral and physiological effects of deep touch pressure for participants receiving dental treatment.

METHODS

Nineteen disabled participants, who were retrospectively subclassified for positive trend or negative trend, were recruited to receive the papoose board as an application of deep touch pressure. Quantitative analyses of behavioral assessments and physiological measurements, including electrodermal activity and heart rate variability, were conducted. We sought to understand the modulation of the autonomic nervous system and the orchestration of sympathetic and parasympathetic (PsNS) nervous systems.

RESULTS

Behavioral assessments reported that higher levels of anxiety were induced by the dental treatment for participants with both groups of positive and negative trends. Although no significant differences were found in the SNS activity, physiologic responses indicated that significantly changes of PsNS activity were observed under the stress condition (dental treatment) when deep touch pressure intervention was applied, especially for participants in the group of positive trend.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that the PsNS activation plays a critical role in the process of ANS modulation. This study provides not only physiologic evidence for the modulation effects of deep touch pressure on stressful conditions in dental environments but also the evidence that the application of papoose board, as a sensory adaptation technique, is not harmful for dental patients with special needs.