Malignant hyperthermia and the general dentist: current recommendations

Malignant hyperthermia is a potentially fatal disease that may be triggered by the administration of specific drugs or by stress. Although most often associated with general anesthesia, stress can be a significant stimulus and is therefore of concern to the general dentist. The decision as to how and where to treat these patients is complicated by conflicting recommendations from various sources. The aim of this article is to propose a protocol for the dentist to use in the treatment of patients with a history of malignant hyperthermia. The dentist must assess the patient for both their susceptibility to a crisis and the degree of stress of the planned procedure. For non-stressful treatment, it is reasonable to assume that the general dental practitioner can treat these patients in his office. For stressful treatment, advanced preparation is advised.