Perioperative Pain Assessment and Medication Safety in Office-Based Dental Anesthesia: A Practical Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We examined perioperative pain assessment, medication documentation, toxicity preparedness, emergency medications and preparedness, and discharge readiness in office-based dental practices. By bringing these considerations together, the goal is to provide a practice overview of what providers should consider incorporating into their office-based dental and other similar anesthesia practices. RECENT FINDINGS: Office- based dental anesthesia consistently delivers care to children and patients who cannot tolerate hospital treatment. Effective perioperative pain management is critically important for safe patient care in the dental office. Age-appropriate pain assessment, local-anesthetic safety, emergency preparedness, and recovery and discharge criteria are important components of office-based dental anesthesia practices. Dental offices are an important setting for patients who require sedation or general anesthesia; A practical framework may help clinicians consistently integrate safeguard elements into daily office-based care.