THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MIDAZOLAM AND HYDROXYZINE AS SEDATIVE AGENTS FORYOUNG PEDIATRIC DENTAL PATIENTS

The purpose of the study was to compare hydroxyzine (HYD) and 0.2mg/Kg midazolam (MDZ) as sedative agents for young pediatric dental patient s. Twenty-nine healthy two-to-four-year-old children participated in t he study. Hydroxyzine was dripped nasally 10 minutes before treatment. The patients' crying, alertness, movement and. general behavior were blindly assessed and statistically analyzed. No differences were found between the mean general behavior scores nor between the first and se cond visits in both groups. A significant difference (p<0.02) was foun d in the acceptance of the face and nasal masks by children of the mid azolam group between the first and second appointments. None of the ch ildren of this group cried nor moved at the first visit. The results o f the study indicate that midazolam is somewhat more effective than hy droxyzine as a sedative agent for short procedures in young pediatric dental patients.