Use of Oral Midazolam Sedation in Pediatric Dentistry: A Review

Most fearful and uncooperative children can be managed with behavioral management techniques. However, when behavioral management strategies fail, some form of pharmacologic sedation or anesthesia has to be utilized. Midazolam, one of the commonly used oral sedation agent in children has several characteristics such as safety of use, rapid onset and some degree of amnesia that makes it a desirable sedation agent in children. Therefore, oral midazolam sedation is recommended for short dental procedures in children. This review paper discusses various aspects of oral midazolam sedation including, advantages of oral route of sedation, pharmacokinetics of midazolam, range of oral dose, midazolam antagonist, and clinical procedure. The paper also includes general guidelines for sedation. The need for appropriate training (for personnel) in sedation, provision of appropriate equipment/ monitoring devices and presence of rescue mechanisms is also emphasized.