How does nitrous oxide sedation affect oral health-related quality of life?
A longitudinal study assessed the changes in oral health-related quality of life after treatment under nitrous oxide sedation in anxious preschool children. Specifically, the study examined the association between dental caries status, risk assessment and oral health-related quality of life in children ages 3 to 6 before and after undergoing treatment under nitrous oxide inhalation sedation.
According to the study, 80 children were assessed for caries risk and dental status using the caries risk assessment for treatment tool. Researchers employed nitrous oxide sedation for dental treatment and conducted assessments pre- and post-treatment. They also performed statistical analyses such as paired t-tests, correlation analyses and Chi-Square tests.
The current research found that treatment could improve the oral health-related quality of life in children. "Integrating risk assessment and oral health-related quality of life enhances understanding, facilitating targeted prevention and treatment strategies," the study said. "Addressing untreated dental caries is imperative for optimizing the overall well-being of children in this age group."
Read more: Cureus
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