Pharmacological Considerations in Pediatric Dentistry

Pharmacologic management is a broad term that describes the use of drugs to manage the behaviour of pediatric patients undergoing dental procedures. The unique physical, emotional, and developmental characteristics of the growing child make dental care particularly challenging for the practitioner. Children are not simply small adults, and the principles of adult pharmacotherapeutics are not easily extrapolated to "fit" the profile and needs of the child. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of literature concerning the use of pharmacologic agents in pediatric dentistry. This has been attributed largely to the fears and difficulties associated with working with children.