General anaesthesia for dentistry

The origins of general anaesthesia for dentistry are inextricably linked to the dawn of anaesthesia as a specialty, and the availability of the very first inhalational anaesthetic agents. Its delivery, regulation and safety profile have evolved significantly since then, with its practice now conducted solely by trained anaesthetists in a hospital setting. Dental chair anaesthesia and nasal masks have largely been replaced by more modern techniques and equipment, nevertheless, the patients that necessitate these interventions present their own unique challenges. Restricted mostly to adult patients that lack capacity (special care dentistry) and paediatric patients, these two groups can be demanding both clinically and logistically, requiring specialist knowledge and experience in managing patients undergoing 'shared airway' surgery, navigating complex consent and safeguarding processes, and working in tandem with a varied multidisciplinary team. Meticulous planning and organization are key to achieving the best interaction with healthcare services for these patients that often require repeat attendances.