Advancing the Safe Delivery of Office-Based Dental Anesthesia and Sedation: A Comprehensive and Critical Compendium

The provision for and administration of dental office-based sedation and anesthesia requires considerations and preparations that are unique to dentistry and unlike that of any other office-based and nonoperating room procedures. Anesthesia providers who have only performed dental cases in an operating room are often unaware of the idiosyncrasies and risks associated with performing sedation and anesthesia in the dental office. This article explores the demographics, patient characteristics, morbidity, mortality, and clinical concerns with an in-depth discussion of the dental operating environment. The content is integrated with the current medical and dental guidelines for office-based anesthesia.