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Both the American Dental Association (ADA) and Accessible Dental Services (ADS) recommend the use of an EtCO2 monitor for anyone receiving moderate or deep sedation. What is an etco2 monitor? EtCO2 monitoring is considered standard of care for these patients because it can help prevent or identify serious problems such as hypoxemia (low blood oxygen levels), hypercapnia (high blood carbon dioxide levels), and aspiration.
EtCO2 monitor usage allows the dentist to often help his or her patients understand their overall health well before the GP, especially since many people visit the dentist twice a year when they only visit the doctor's office once a year. A dentist or hygienist can easily obtain essential patient data using a vital signs monitor.
Sedation without vital signs monitoring poses serious risks to the patient. As we mentioned before, carbon dioxide levels in the blood can give an indication of how well our bodies are functioning. This is especially true when it comes to oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood.
If CO2 levels are too low in a sedated patient, it may be a sign that they are not breathing enough air. Hypoxemia is a condition characterized by a decrease in oxygen in the blood. Hypoxemia can lead to brain damage, cardiac arrhythmias and even death.
When sedated patients have high levels of carbon dioxide in their bodies, it may mean that they are retaining too much carbon dioxide. If this condition is not corrected, it can lead to hypercapnia - a condition caused by elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. Hypercapnia can lead to brain damage, cardiac arrhythmias, and death.
Dental patients are now also checked for pulse, respiration, blood pressure and temperature. Research shows that people who give up on their oral health may be just as lax about other aspects of their physical health. What's more, there is a link between oral health complications and problems like coronary infection and heart disease. Some problems may even be early indicators of more serious problems, for example, periodontal disease often precedes diabetes.
The requirement for EtCO2 monitors in sedation dentistry makes it easier for dental professionals to monitor patient health on a deeper level than just flossing and coffee intake. etco2 monitor use enables dentists to see the CO2 levels of sedated patients so they can take action if levels become too high or too low. This helps keep the sedated patient safe and reduces the possibility of serious complications.
