Arterial oxygen desaturation in adult dental patients receiving conscious sedation

Forty-six adults undergoing dental procedures were monitored with a pulse oximeter for hypoxemia. Thirty-six patients received various amounts and combinations of central nervous system depressant drugs (barbiturates, sedatives, and narcotics) in addition to local anesthetics to produce a state of conscious sedation. Twenty-eight patients in the latter group received supplemental oxygen. Ten subjects served as a control group and received only local anesthesia without supplemental oxygen. Continuous monitoring by pulse oximetry revealed 151 episodes of mild, 132 of moderate, and 33 of severe arterial oxygen desaturation, although clinical signs of hypoxemia were absent. Patients with a body mass index > 30 or those with a smoking history > 30 pack-years were particularly prone to arterial oxygen desaturation.