Sedation in primary dental care: an investigation in two districts of northern England.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the current provision of sedation in primary dental care and investigate the knowledge and attitudes of dental practitioners and others on the use of sedation.

DESIGN: Qualitative interviews and postal questionnaire survey.

SETTING: Health districts of Bradford (West Yorkshire) and South Durham, UK in 1996.

SUBJECTS AND MATERIALS: 15 key individuals associated with NHS primary dental services were interviewed. Questionnaires were sent to all 260 NHS general dental practitioners and community dental service clinicians.

RESULTS: 208 questionnaires (80%) were returned. 42% of respondents reported current sedation use, with oral administration the favoured technique (26%). Significant differences were found between districts for intravenous sedation use (7% Bradford, 41% South Durham, P < 0.001). Almost all participants agreed the value of sedation in dental care for adults and children, for nervous, phobic patients or in association with unpleasant forms of treatment and 45% of dentists felt that provision should be expanded. Training, availability of referral services, finance and patient demand were seen as encouraging factors.

CONCLUSIONS: Substantial variations in sedation provision between the two districts were associated with teaching at the nearest dental schools. Innovative use of resources could help the expansion of provision supported in this study.