Assessment of Nitrous Oxide Inhalation Sedation Module in Kuwait: A Survey on Undergraduate Dental Training Curriculum

Mohammad Abdulwahab,1 Mohammad Kamal,1 Ahmad M AlAli2 1Department of Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Health Sciences Center, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait; 2Department of Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Health Sciences Center, Kuwait City, KuwaitCorrespondence: Mohammad AbdulwahabDepartment of Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Health Sciences Center, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, KuwaitEmail mabdulwahab@hsc.edu.kwIntroduction: The use of nitrous oxide/oxygen (N2O/O2) inhalation sedation in dentistry has increased worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the nitrous oxide/oxygen (N2O/O2) inhalation sedation undergraduate teaching curriculum at Kuwait University Faculty of Dentistry.Methods: A cross-sectional survey involving dental students in their clinical years (5th, 6th, and 7th years) at Kuwait University Faculty of Dentistry was conducted. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. The Likert scale-based survey comprised 17 statements that assessed various aspects of N2O/O2 inhalation sedation in dental procedures. Continuous data variables were compared among different groups using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Categorical data variables were compared using either the Chi-squared test or Fisher’s exact test.Results: Fifty-six students participated in this survey-based study. All students attended an approximately equal number of practical hands-on-training sessions, with a mean of 1.7 (± 1.1) sessions (p = 0.813). Most students expressed confidence in administering N2O/O2 inhalation sedation with an insignificant difference between each group (p = 0.276). However, low confidence level was observed in certain intraoperative and postoperative management aspects of providing N2O/O2 to patients.Conclusion: This study indicated that the teaching curriculum regarding N2O/O2 inhalation sedation should be regularly evaluated. The quality of students’ educational pathways should also be assessed through surveys to improve and develop dental school curricula to the highest standard levels.Keywords: nitrous oxide, inhalation sedation, conscious sedation, dental education, curriculum revision