SAAD Digest 

March 2025
Volume: 41
Issue: 1
DOI: 10.63507/ICKO7000

Title: Challenges and considerations in dental treatment of patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: a review and case study

Author(s): H. Patel, C. Boynton

Abstract: 

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) or functional or dissociative seizures are a common subtype of functional neurological disorder. These seizures may present as dissociation, blackouts, collapse or closely resemble epileptic seizures without the changes in electrical activity in the cortex. Patients with these seizures present with unique challenges in management of their dental treatment because of their associated co-morbidities and complex presentation. They are often referred to community or hospital dental settings to manage their dental care. Although non-epileptic seizures are increasingly common, there is a lack of evidence for their management in a dental environment and particularly in the provision of conscious sedation. This paper presents a review on psychogenic non-epileptic seizures and discusses the considerations for assessment and dental treatment planning with or without conscious sedation. Finally, the authors present a case study of a patient who experienced PNES during dental treatment under conscious sedation. 

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Articles from Digest 41(1)