WHAT IS ORAL CONSCIOUS SEDATION (minimal or moderate sedation)?
Oral Conscious Sedation involves the administration of an agent (drug) or combination of agents designed to cause an alteration or alterations in the level of the child patient’s consciousness, cognition, motor coordination, degree of anxiety, and physiological parameters. The changes experienced by a patient will depend upon the drug used, the amount used and each patient’s individual sensitivity to the agent(s) used. When using oral conscious sedation, we are attempting to reach one of the following levels of sedation; (1) minimal sedation or (2) moderate sedation. Minimal sedation is defined by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry as a drug-induced depression of consciousness during which patients respond purposefully to verbal commands. Moderate sedation is defined by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry as a drug-induced depression of consciousness during which patients respond purposefully to verbal commands either alone or accompanied by light tactile stimulation.
