General dentists' evaluation of anesthesia sedation education in U.S. dental schools.

To assess the quality and quantity of sedation education in U.S. dental schools, a prospective, questionnaire-based survey was administered to general dental practitioners who graduated in 2003. Questionnaires were sent via facsimile to recent dental graduates using a list obtained through the American Dental Association. The response rate was 54 percent; 718 of the 1,328 nine-question surveys were returned. The response to the questionnaires indicates a perceived need for sedation care by the majority of recent graduates and low overall satisfaction with the quality of sedation education in U.S. dental schools. The general consensus of most 2003 dental school graduates is that they have gained little or no hands-on experience in sedation techniques and would have supported an increase in tuition and fees if an institution were to offer more efficient sedation training. With increased popularity and high patient demand for sedation techniques, the new dentist feels a need for sedation education before graduation.