KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE AMONG VARIOUS UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS REGARDING CONSCIOUS SADATION IN PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY — A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

*Dr. Akshaya Thaliyil, Dr. Saraswathi V. Naik, Dr. Basappa N., Dr. Amitha M. Shagale and Dr. Shruti V. Thakkar

ABSTRACT

Background: Behaviour management techniques are considered integral components in paediatric dentistry, to alleviate fear and anxiety, efficiently deliver effective dental treatment to the child. a lack of knowledge among dental professionals regarding sedation appears to be a factor influencing the practice of dental sedation. Aim: To evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice of under graduate dental students on conscious sedation. Methodology: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey was carried out among 370 undergraduate dental students. (Final years and interns). In all, 370 questionnaires were prepared out of which 120 were filled through direct personal interview and 250 were circulated via Google forms. Result: A total of four hundred questionnaires were sent out and 370 questionnaires were filled and returned. The age of participants ranged from 22 to 23 years. There were 111 men (78.1%), and 259 female participants. Conclusion: This study shows that despite most undergraduate dental students have basic knowledge on sedation in dentistry, very few have formal training in sedation. The undergraduate dental students showed positive attitude regarding use of conscious sedation in uncooperative patients.

Keywords: Behavior management, Conscious sedation, Undergraduate dental students, Knowledge.