A member of DOCS Education poses a simple question to the forums:
What are your thoughts on capnography for moderate oral conscious sedation cases? Is anybody on the forums doing this currently?
Dr. Jerome Wellbrock, DOCS Education faculty, responds:
Capnography is coming and will eventually be the standard for outpatient care. The ASA recommends capnography for all outpatient moderate and deep sedation. It is not yet recommended by the ADA or ADSA. I have capnography in my office and can use it with or without the use of nitrous oxide or oxygen during my sedations. I do not use it on all patients, but I have for almost all of my ASA III patients. Remember that pulse oximetery shows that the blood is oxygenated but does not show that cellular respiration is taking place. Capnography by showing exhaled carbon dioxide is showing that respiration is truly occurring.
Another member of DOCS Education adds their thoughts:
For what my humble opinion is worth, I use it on ALL my cases. Remember there is up to a two minute lag with response on a pulse ox, but near instantaneous with capnography. I just want to know NOW.
As long as I can quickly see nice peaks and valleys, I'm a happy dentist.
For patients under 12, it is absolutely the standard of care. Don't attempt pediatric sedation dentistry without capnography.
