There is a dearth of research into the correlation between dental anesthesia and child deaths, according to Medical Xpress.
Pediatrics published an article examining the lack of research and why anesthesiologists want answers.
Here are three key points:
1. Throughout the U.S., providers perform an estimated 100,000 to 250,000 pediatric dental sedations per year.
2. Pediatric dental sedations can lead to a series of adverse events, inclusive of respiratory depression, airway obstruction and death. However, there is a lack of data illustrating the number of deaths and cause of deaths.
3. Helen Lee, MD, lead study author and assistant professional of anesthesiology at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, said the industry needs sufficient data on the possible correlation between dental anesthesia and pediatric deaths before devising ways to make office-based procedures safer.
"I believe that there are solutions to this problem and figuring out what that looks like will take collaborative work between anesthesia providers, dentists and patients," Dr. Lee said. "In the end, everyone wants the same thing — for children to be safer."
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Pediatrics published an article examining the lack of research and why anesthesiologists want answers.
Here are three key points:
1. Throughout the U.S., providers perform an estimated 100,000 to 250,000 pediatric dental sedations per year.
2. Pediatric dental sedations can lead to a series of adverse events, inclusive of respiratory depression, airway obstruction and death. However, there is a lack of data illustrating the number of deaths and cause of deaths.
3. Helen Lee, MD, lead study author and assistant professional of anesthesiology at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, said the industry needs sufficient data on the possible correlation between dental anesthesia and pediatric deaths before devising ways to make office-based procedures safer.
"I believe that there are solutions to this problem and figuring out what that looks like will take collaborative work between anesthesia providers, dentists and patients," Dr. Lee said. "In the end, everyone wants the same thing — for children to be safer."
More dental news:
In-network dentist availability satisfaction declines: 3 key statistics
Smile Group, Great Expressions Dental Centers & more: 4 DSOs making headlines
12 highest paying countries for dentists: Spain ranks as No. 1 at $176k