A comparative evaluation of oral midazolam with other sedatives as premedication in pediatric dentistry

The purpose of present study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of orally administered midazolam in children as a sedative agent and to compare it with two other older agents, triclofos and promethazine. The study was conducted on ninety child patients requiring some short dental procedure. All the patients were with a good physical status (ASA-I). The ages ranged between 3 and 9 years. The patients were randomized into three study groups: Group 1, midazolam, Group II, triclofos and Group III, promethazine, on the basis of the drugs to be administered. After administration of drugs in each group, the effects were evaluated in terms of onset of action, sedative effect, ease of treatment completion, recovery time and postoperative amnesia. Midazolam was found to be the best drug among the three to produce conscious sedation in children.