Problems of medication with the pediatric patient

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Pharmacology
• Dental Anesthesiology

Background:

• Prescribing pharmacologic agents for pediatric dental patients necessitates careful selection of effective and palatable medications.
• Standard adult dosing recommendations are often inappropriate for children, requiring specialized pediatric guidelines.
• Behavioral management techniques may be insufficient, necessitating premedication or sedation in some cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide guidance on the selection and administration of pharmacologic agents for pediatric dental patients.
• To emphasize the importance of adhering to established pediatric dosing guidelines and thorough medical history evaluation.
• To outline appropriate use of sedation, antibiotics, and analgesics in pediatric dental care.

Main Methods:

• Review of established pediatric pharmacologic guidelines and manufacturer recommendations.
• Emphasis on obtaining comprehensive medical histories prior to prescribing.
• Discussion of appropriate drug classes for pain management, infection control, and premedication.

Main Results:

• Nonnarcotic analgesics are generally effective for post-operative pain control in children.
• Oral antibiotics are recommended for most dental infections, with parenteral administration for severe cases.
• Aspirin should be used cautiously in surgical cases due to potential for prolonged bleeding.

Conclusions:

• Careful drug selection, adherence to pediatric dosing guidelines, and thorough patient assessment are paramount in pediatric dental pharmacology.
• General anesthesia is preferred for very young or medically compromised children over outpatient sedation.
• Penicillin remains a primary choice for antibiotic therapy, and American Heart Association guidelines should be followed for antibiotic prophylaxis.