Anesthesiologists and the education of dentists (and others) in anesthesia.

Abstract

Since the beginning of the modern era of anesthesia practice in the mid-19th century, dentists have been involved in the practice of anesthesia. Both Horace Wells, who recognized the beneficial anesthetic effect of nitrous oxide, and William Thomas Green Morton, who in 1846 made the first public demonstration of ether anesthesia, were dentists. following discussion will seek to review the current training of dentists in anesthesia practice as well as discuss the role of physician anesthesiologists in this training and practice. An overview of the training of other physicians and non-physician health care workers in aspects of sedation, analgesia, and airway management will also be included. In 1977 Klein, Wollman, and Cohen 1 published an article in Anesthesiology in which they reviewed the practice of anesthesia by dentists. They proposed that anesthesiology training programs should help to improve the quality of dental anesthesia practice by providing anesthesia training to dentists. They said: It is the opinion of the authors that it would benefit the profession of dentistry and the quality of outpatient dental anesthesia in this country in a positive manner if there were formally set aside a small number of anesthesia residencies for dental applicants who have good academic qualifications and show a desire for teaching and research on a dental school faculty. Anesthesia practice among dentists can include nitrous oxide sedation, oral sedation, combined oral and inhaled sedation, intravenous conscious sedation, deep sedation, and general anesthesia. American Dental Association (ADA) has formulated a policy statement about the use of sedation and general anesthesia in dentistry. policy states: The use of conscious sedation, deep sedation, and general anesthesia in dentistry is safe and effective when properly administered by trained individuals. American Dental Association strongly supports the right of appropriately trained dentists to use these modalities for the management of dental patients and is committed to ensuring their safe and effective use.