International Guidelines on Conscious Sedation in Pediatric Dentistry: A Comparative Analysis and Evidence Mapping Study
Abstract
Conscious sedation is widely used in pediatric dentistry to manage dental anxiety, behavioral difficulties, and systemic diseases that compromise patient compliance with dental care. Despite its clinical importance, international recommendations vary considerably.
Objective: To conduct a comparative analysis and evidence mapping of international clinical practice guidelines on conscious sedation in pediatric dentistry.
Methods: A comparative guideline analysis and evidence mapping study was performed. Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Web of Science, LILACS, SciELO, TRIP, and OpenGrey up to December 2023. Guidelines issued by recognized professional or governmental organization addressing conscious sedation in pediatric dentistry were included. Predefined domains were analyzed, including indications, contraindications, pharmacological agents, dosages, routes of administration, monitoring, discharge criteria, and professional training. Data were synthesized descriptively and graphically mapped to illustrate coverage patterns.
Results: Twelve international guidelines were included. Complete convergence (100%) was observed in core safety domains, such as patient assessment, monitoring, and professional training. A high agreement was found for discharge criteria (91.67%) and contraindications (83.33%). However, substantial variability emerged in pharmacological protocols, with only 16.67% of…
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