Referring for Dental General Anaesthesia



This session will consider the indications and contraindications for dental general anaesthesia and describe the information required in a referral for this service. The information to be provided to the patient prior to, and on referral, will also be highlighted.
Learning objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:
- list the indications and contraindications for dental general anaesthesia (DGA)
- list the information required in a referral letter
- list the information to be given to the patient being referred for dental general anaesthesia
A choice between local anaesthesia (LA), conscious sedation and general anaesthesia (GA) for dental treatment has been available for many years, but general anaesthesia carries significantly more risks.


Before commencing this session you should have completed the following eDen sessions in Module 3 Anxiety and pain control in dentistry:
- Overview of conscious sedation/Professional guidelines for conscious sedation in dental practice (141-0140)
- Dental general anaesthesia/Professional guidelines for dental general anaesthesia (141-0155)
- Dental general anaesthesia/Assessment for dental general anaesthesia (141-0156)
Dr Kathy Wilson is an Associate Specialist in Dental Sedation at Newcastle Dental Hospital.
Currently lecturing in the field of dental sedation and special care dentistry at undergraduate and postgraduate level, Kathy has extensive clinical experience in management of the anxious dental patient.
Kathy is also part of the Module Editorial Team at e-Den, and is Module Editor for Module 3 Anxiety and Pain Control in Dentistry.

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