Sedation for dental and other procedures

Anaesthetists should be aware that there is good evidence that sedation can harm patients. Some authorities believe that patients’ protective reflexes are impaired at any level of sedation. Sedation merges into anaesthesia in a continuum of loss of consciousness. All anaesthetists should understand the definition of ‘conscious sedation’, and be aware of the concepts of ‘deep sedation’ and ‘monitored anaesthesia care’, which are prevalent in the USA. This paper discusses, in particular, dental sedation guidelines and, more generally, safe sedation practice for other procedures in which sedation is given.