What do systematic reviews say?

Dexmedetomidine vs A different sedative agent

• Sedation of children undergoing dental treatment 2018 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Any behavioural score - Dexmedetomidine versus (other sedatives): 120 (2); VERY LOW
  2 studies · 120 participants
  Very low

Nitrous oxide/oxygen vs placebo or no intervention

It is very uncertain whether nitrous oxide/oxygen changes behaviour (Houpt/behavioural score) compared with placebo (including no intervention) (very low certainty).

• Sedation of children undergoing dental treatment 2018 · Cochrane All outcomes
  SMD 0.69 [0.13, 1.26]
  1 study · 52 participants
  Very low

Chloral hydrate/promethazine vs A different sedative agent

• Sedation of children undergoing dental treatment 2018 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Any behavioural score - Chloral hydrate/promethazine versus (other sedatives): 24 (1); VERY LOW
  1 study · 24 participants
  Very low

Chloral hydrate/hydroxyzine vs A different sedative agent

• Sedation of children undergoing dental treatment 2018 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Any behavioural score - Chloral hydrate/hydroxyzine versus (other sedatives): 235 (6); VERY LOW
  6 studies · 235 participants
  Very low

Ketamine vs A different sedative agent

• Sedation of children undergoing dental treatment 2018 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Any behavioural score - Ketamine versus (other sedatives): 494 (8); VERY LOW
  8 studies · 494 participants
  Very low

Midazolam (any mode of delivery) vs Different dosage of the same sedative

• Sedation of children undergoing dental treatment 2018 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Any behavioural score - Midazolam (any mode of delivery): 394 (10 studies); VERY LOW. Insufficient evidence to determine whether any specific dose of intranasal midazolam is effective; weak evidence oral midazolam…
  10 studies · 394 participants
  Very low

Sevoflurane vs A different sedative agent

• Sedation of children undergoing dental treatment 2018 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Any behavioural score - Sevoflurane versus (other sedatives): 1140 (3); VERY LOW
  3 studies · 1140 participants
  Very low

Ketamine/midazolam vs A different sedative agent

• Sedation of children undergoing dental treatment 2018 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Any behavioural score - Ketamine/midazolam versus (other sedatives): 27 (1); VERY LOW
  1 study · 27 participants
  Very low

Oral midazolam vs A different sedative agent

• Sedation of children undergoing dental treatment 2018 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Any behavioural score - Oral midazolam versus (other sedatives): 654 (7); VERY LOW
  7 studies · 654 participants
  Very low

Oral diazepam vs placebo or no intervention

It is very uncertain whether oral diazepam changes behaviour (Houpt/behavioural score) compared with placebo (including no intervention) (very low certainty).

• Sedation of children undergoing dental treatment 2018 · Cochrane All outcomes
  SMD 0.62 [-0.28, 1.53]
  1 study · 20 participants
  Very low

Intravenous midazolam vs placebo or no intervention

It is very uncertain whether intravenous midazolam changes behaviour (Houpt/behavioural score) compared with placebo (including no intervention) (very low certainty).

• Sedation of children undergoing dental treatment 2018 · Cochrane All outcomes
  SMD 1.21 [0.24, 2.18]
  1 study · 20 participants
  Very low

Oral midazolam vs placebo or no intervention

Oral midazolam probably leads to higher behaviour (Houpt/behavioural score) compared with placebo (including no intervention) (moderate certainty).

• Sedation of children undergoing dental treatment 2018 · Cochrane All outcomes
  SMD 1.96 [1.59, 2.33]
  6 studies · 202 participants
  Moderate