Experience with sedation and restraint during dental treatment in Romania

In September 1994 a team of one doctor, two D.S.A.'s and two dentists went to Romania. Their mission was to provide dental treatment to mentally handicapped children at an orphanage in Gradinari, near Bucharest. The dental team were guests of Comber, a cross-border charity, and stayed in Bucharest, travelling to Gradinari every day. The equipment was sent out in advance and set up in a room at the orphanage. Initially, it was planned to provide treatment under general anaesthesia: however, due to logistical problems this was modified. A programme was set up using pre-operative sedation. This was followed up by wrapping the child in a blanket secured with a belt. With the child thus restrained, treatment was carried out using local anaesthesia. The sedation/restraint treatment was better adapted to some cases than general anaesthesia. A full clearance is described. Though the treatment of the children was slow and tedious, the team were very happy with the results. A future mission will take place.