Dentists Love Oral Conscious Sedation Dentistry
Survey Finds OCS a Top Priority among Dentists
In our most recent survey, we asked dentists if they offer their patients oral conscious sedation. Two out of three dentists reported that their dental practices offer OCS. A quarter of dentists don’t feel comfortable offering sedation. And 8% said that they wished they were able to offer OCS, but regulations in their state made it too difficult to implement in their practice.
When it comes to sedation, urban dentists are the most conservative, and rural dentists the most liberal. Rural dentists are most likely to offer sedation. In addition, urban dentists were most likely to wish they were able to offer oral conscious sedation.
Gender differences were minimal, but still significant. Female dentists were more likely to feel uncomfortable offering OCS than their male colleagues. In addition, male dentists are more likely to offer OCS at their practices.
“Oral conscious sedation is an excellent tool for the fearful patient that has not been to the dentist in years,” commented a New Jersey dentist. “The regulations are overly onerous. More rules and regulations won’t prevent irresponsible behavior–it will only prevent many competent practitioners from utilizing this modality,” complained a Maryland pediatric dentist. “I think the training provided by DOCS (Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation) is both adequate and excellent. I oppose the new regulations proposed by the ADA,” wrote a Michigan dentist.
Read the full oral conscious sedation survey results.
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March 4th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Well, i completly agree with most of this post. How ever i caution not to link the goals of DOCS with the best interest of the general dentist or as some counter to the proposals of the ADA. DOCS has its own agenda and it is not always as it apears. I look forward to hearing more on this subject.
March 5th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
I think that OCS should be utilized for the percentage of the population that can benefit from such treatment. However, I would strongly advise any practitioner to expand their knowledge far beyond what a single course can offer regarding anesthesia, emergency medicine and pharmacology. You must remember when practicing any form of anesthesia you are held to the same standards of the profession itself. There is no “magic pill” available, if you have not witnessed complications then you are not experienced. While I think OCS, IV or any means that offers access to patient care is a tremendous service, one must truly prepare themselves for the responsibility that goes along with it. If you can not honestly say you have done that … well … then you may wish to seek other means of accommodating patients who are candidates for sedation. Thank you