Calculating and justifying total anxiolytic doses of medications for in-office use.

Author(s): Goodchild JH, Donaldson M

Affiliation(s): Division of Oral Diagnosis, New Jersey Dental School, Newark, USA.

Publication date & source: 2006-01, Gen Dent., 54(1):54-7

Publication type:

Providing anxiolysis (diminution of anxiety and/or fear) for patients is a popular technique for improving a patient's tolerance of invasive dental procedures. Currently there are no guidelines for helping dentists select the appropriate amount of oral medication for a patient who requires anxiolysis. Besides the availability of inherently safe drugs, pulse oximetry, and emergency equipment, conservative dosing guidelines should be established for the oral medications used most commonly. This article proposes guidelines for calculating and justifying the total anxiolytic doses of medications used in-office, with an emphasis on triazolam and lorazepam.