Weighted Blanket Use as an Alternative to Protective Stabilization During Moderate Sedation

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to examine protective stabilization (PS) patterns before and after the availability of weighted blankets (WBs) as a behavioral guidance approach during in-office dental moderate sedation. Methods: A retrospective chart review evaluated pediatric patient sedation records after six-pound lead-free WBs were introduced into the dental clinic and compared clinical outcomes to a time before WBs were available. Multivariable logistic regression analyses assessed variables associated with the occurrence of PS use during a sedation visit. Results: PS (PS) usage decreased from 78.7 percent before to 32.8 percent after the availability of WBs during sedation visits (chi-square, P<0.001). Increase in age (adjusted odds ratio [OR] equals 0.69, 95 percent confidence interval [95% CI] equals 0.53 to 0.90, P=0.006) and WB use reduced PS management (adjusted OR equals 0.067, 95% CI equals 0.020 to 0.22, P<0.001). Body mass index, gender, treatment amount, and sedation regimen did not predict the occurrence of PS. The number of completed teeth treated was not found to be statistically different between cases managed with PS versus those managed without restraint. Children managed with PS but without WBs had statistically higher heart rate changes (20.26±23.17) during treatment than children managed without restraint (8.12±15.15). Conclusions: An increase in age and weighted blanket use was associated with a reduction in the occurrence of protective stabilization during moderate sedation dental visits at the university pediatric dental clinic. Clinical practice sedation protocols should consider weighted blanket use as an alternative to PS.