Conscious sedation services provided in secondary care for restorative dentistry in the UK: a survey

To assess the views of consultants in restorative dentistry on sedation services in secondary care for restorative dentistry and their involvement in the provision of this.

Postal questionnaire survey in the UK.

Consultants in restorative dentistry.

There was an 80% response rate from 179 consultants. Among consultants in restorative dentistry there was a perceived need for sedation services in restorative dentistry within NHS hospitals other than for teaching purposes. Anxiety and level of trauma of dental treatment affected whether consultants felt it appropriate for patients to have such treatment under sedation. One third (48) of consultants treated patients under conscious sedation, a significant number of these held NHS posts and had graduated more recently. Of those (41) who provided treatment under conscious sedation in an NHS setting, most (38, 93%) provided treatment under intravenous sedation of whom only eight (21%) acted as operator/sedationist. Nearly all consultants (135, 94%) felt that specialist registrars in restorative dentistry should undergo some form of training in sedation.

Although consultants in restorative dentistry recognise the need for training in and the provision of sedation in secondary care for restorative dentistry, only one third of respondents currently provide this service.