Conscious Sedation for Dentistry

Good to have the update version.

A small volume, non-intimidating for an evening's read to refresh on your skills or learn something first time. At around 150 pages, in classic Wiley Blackwell fashion it's concise, and to the point. No conversational waffle or unnecessary words - it tells you what you need to know.Mostly seemingly written as a guide/manual for information, rather than a thesis style, but if studying it's still incredibly valid for referencing for dissertations and academic work.The biggest value I give this is it puts the patient first - i'm particularly impressed with the lengthy beginning section on anxiety, explaining what it is, the symptoms it manifests itself within and it's relation both within Dentistry and outside of it. Behaviour management for the dentist then gets explained using this knowledge, along with later in the book, personality considerations such as mental health and potential neurological disorders are mentioned. It can't be faulted for being comprehensive.I would say it's a 50/50 split between biological science of what sedation does to the body, methods of application and the physicality's of what then occurs, with the other half the ethics, reasons why and 'people skills' part of dental sedation. It's non-biased towards adults or children, though I would say exclusively it's more relevant for adult sedation.This second edition update includes new guidelines and equipment regulations, and the companion website which is mentioned in the front of the book, has a selection of multiple choice self-abasement questions, a kind of test to check what you've learned.

As someone who still has nightmares surrounding being 'put under' by gas as a child, the modern practice in dentistry of concious sedation has to be considered as a huge step forward. In this slim, 150 page book from the Wiley Blackwell stable, the authors concentrate on all areas where patients fears and anxieties can be addressed. Covering the psychological, emotional and pathelogical aspects of conscious sedation, the work by those highly experienced in the field, will prove particularly useful for dental students and new practitionairs.

Looking at this from a patient’s viewpoint this a slim and well written book, dealing with a wide range of subjects involved in conscious sedation. Going through methods of how to deal with anxiety, especially children, conditions affecting cardiovascular health and how everyone in the practice should be trained like clockwork in case there is a need to resuscitate a patient. As I myself have an unpleasant reaction to full strength dental sedatives as they break down after treatment, it was interesting to read what these compounds could actually be. Looks like a thoroughly useful book to save dental practitioners from repetitive issues.

This is a superb text for dental students, covering all aspects of conscious sedation, along with the issues that come up for the humans you are sedating. As one of the most cowardly of patients, I found it fascinating to read about folks like me and how my dentist works to help us be calm and pain free during treatment. The book is comprehensive, covering every aspect of the need for and methods of sedation along with contraindications, side effects and interactions. Reading it certainly gave me more confidence in my dentist. It is an excellent study resource for any dental student.