Oral Midazolam for Adults with Learning Disabilities

From Volume 27, Issue 4, May 2000 | Pages 190-192

Authors

Carole A. Boyle

FDS RCS, MMedSci, DGDP(UK)

Demonstrator in Sedation and Special Care Dentistry, Guy's, King's and St Thomas' School of Dentistry, London

Articles by Carole A. Boyle

M.C. Graham Manley

BDS, DDPH(RCS), MSc, PhD

Senior Dental Officer, East Kent Community Dental Service, Canterbury, King's and St Thomas' School of Dentistry, London

Articles by M.C. Graham Manley

Garry J.P. Fleming

BSc, PhD

Research Fellow in Sedation and Special Care Dentistry, Guy's, King's and St Thomas' School of Dentistry, London

Articles by Garry J.P. Fleming

Abstract

This paper demonstrates how oral midazolam can be employed as an alternative method of behaviour management to general anaesthesia for the dental treatment of people with learning disabilities. A range of treatments, from scaling to root canal therapy, can be carried out successfully using the sedation technique outlined. The advantages of sedation include reduced morbidity and mortality. Treatment outcomes are also likely to be improved as root canal therapy and periodontal care can be carried out over a number of visits rather than a single treatment session under general anaesthesia. Oral sedation with midazolam should improve the scope of dental treatment available to patients with disabilities.

Article