SEDATION AND GENERAL ANESTHESIA IN PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

The idea for this book arose from a shared awareness of an ongoing and vital issue in paediatric dentistry: the effective and safe management of paediatric patients who exhibit varying degrees of anxiety, fear and behavioural complexity during dental treatment. Despite significant advances in both dentistry and anaesthesiology, the integration of these disciplines into daily clinical practice has not yet been addressed in a comprehensive and holistic manner. As editors, we were motivated by the need to bring together different yet complementary perspectives to fill this gap. This book reflects a conscious effort to integrate knowledge drawn from paediatric dentistry, anaesthesiology, and child and adolescent mental health into a framework that is both academically rigorous and clinically applicable. In doing so, we aim to provide a resource that not only imparts knowledge to clinicians but also supports them in making robust, patient-centered decisions. This book places particular emphasis on the continuum of behavioural management strategies, ranging from non-pharmacological approaches to advanced pharmacological interventions, including sedation and general anaesthesia. In parallel, recognizing that patient safety is a priority at every stage of care, careful attention has been paid to the identification and management of potential complications. This work is the result of the collective expertise and dedication of numerous contributors, each bringing valuable insights from their respective fields. Their contributions have ensured the creation of a text that is both comprehensive and clinically practical. As editors, we are deeply grateful for their commitment and academic excellence. We view this book not only as a resource for paediatric dentistry specialists, but also for students seeking to deepen their knowledge of paediatric dental care in complex clinical scenarios, general dental practitioners and anaesthetists. We sincerely hope that this book will contribute to the advancement of multidisciplinary collaboration and, ultimately, enhance the quality and safety of the care provided to children. Gülce ÖZTÜRK, DDS, Assistant Professor, Erciyes University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Kayseri, Türkiye Şaziye SARI, DDS, Professor, PhD, Ankara University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Ankara, Türkiye