Oral hydroxyzine safe option for oral sedation for kids during dental treatment: Study
Oral hydroxyzine could be safely used as oral sedation for children during dental treatment, according to a recent study published in the European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry.
Management of a child's anxiety early in their treatment is essential in dentistry. Sedative medications are used to overcome increased anxiety from previous appointments and to promote the cooperation of children during treatment. Hydroxyzine is currently prescribed to young patients as part of the first level of conscious sedation. The main objective was to evaluate the professional practice of oral hydroxyzine when prescribed for children presenting anxiety during dental treatment procedures performed by students and senior practitioners.
A retrospective study of dental records and questionnaires was conducted at the Dental Care Centre of the University Hospital of Rennes, France. Parameters related to the prescription of hydroxyzine in children were evaluated as potential predictors of the dental session success, with adjustments on potential confounders.
The Results of the study are
The therapeutic outcome was very encouraging with 78.3% of success during dental sessions under sedation with oral hydroxyzine. Anxiety levels before the dental procedure and the medication compliance of the child were the main predictors of success. On the other hand, lower age (< 6 years old) and longer treatments (such as pulpotomy) worsened the outcome.
Thus, the researchers concluded that careful analysis of the literature and results of this work showed the safety of hydroxyzine within the maximum dose authorized without adverse effects, compared to other molecules described and commonly used in dentistry. No adverse effects during dental procedure were noted. This allows for minimal sedation with efficiency for the great majority of pediatric treatment. This solution should be the first step in sedation to help practising clinicians.
Reference:
Oral sedation in dentistry: evaluation of the professional practice of oral hydroxyzine in the University Hospital of Rennes, France by A. Pouliquen, E. Boye et al published in the European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40368-021-00620-7
