LAUSR

BACKGROUND Dental procedures profoundly affect a child's dental fear and anxiety, rendering dental treatment difficult. Inhalation sedation with a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen (NO2/02) breathed through a nosepiece is a form of light conscious sedation widely used in apprehensive children to help them relax and accept dental treatment. This, however, can have both shortand long-term effects on child dental fear and anxiety. This study aimed to assess the short-term immediate effect of inhalation sedation on child dental fear and anxiety scores. METHODS This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Paediatric Dentistry at Rehman College of Dentistry, Peshawar, Pakistan, over a period of 1.9 years (January 2019- October 2020). A total of 171 children aged 6-11 years were selected with moderate to severe dental anxiety using the Child Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFFS-DS), requiring pulp therapy in at least one of their deciduous molars. Baseline anxiety scores were calculated using Venham Clinical Anxiety Score (VCAS) and Venham Picture test (VPT) with a dental check-up and fluoride application. VCAS and VPT scores were then assessed at the end of their scheduled second dental visit involving dental anaesthesia and inhalation sedation. VCAS and VPT scores at the end of treatment were compared with the baseline scores. RESULTS Out of 171 children, 86 were male and 85 were female, with a mean age of 7.77. Females showed a higher range of VCAS and VPT scores (p≤0.001) compared to males. The VCAS and VPT scores declined just at the end of the second dental visit following dental anaesthesia with inhalation sedation (mean difference = 1.96 and 3.39, respectively), which was statistically significant (p≤0.001). CONCLUSION Inhalation sedation has a significant role in reducing child dental fear and anxiety in the short term.