Female pediatric dentists and pregnancy

[brushyoteef0]

In need of some insight. For pediatric female dentists (or general dentists) who are/were pregnant did you continue to administer nitrous to patients all throughout your pregnancies? I’m a GP in a pediatric heavy patient pool office and it will be very hard to avoid all nitrous due to the pediatric patients.

We use isovac (dry shield) on all cases and my management is having the scavenging/lines checked. I also wear an N95 with a level 3 over it, but I’m aware the nitrous particles are smaller than the filters. I usually only give a small dose of nitrous (20-30%) and tend to turn it off/down once the patient is calm. Is it safe to continue to administer? I imagine in the world of pediatrics it’s difficult to completely avoid.

It didn’t really occur to me the possibility of harm and I continued using it normally the first few weeks of pregnancy. Very anxious and nervous about the possibilities ):

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Thesmilefactory]

I used it for both my pregnancies and had no issues. However- Do what makes you comfortable and less anxious.

 

[brushyoteef0]

I used it for both my pregnancies and had no issues. However- Do what makes you comfortable and less anxious.

Thank you! Did you use it almost daily while you worked?

 

[deleted923283]

The concerns around nitrous depend on the progression of pregnancy.

In first trimester, the concern is for birth defects and maldevelopment.
As things go towards third trimester, the concern is for premature birth.

When in doubt, avoid.

 

[SirBrotherJam]

If you are concerned avoid it. Otherwise, go to the literature. I am sure there are more on this, but here is one for you.
Nitrous Oxide (pregnant employee):
Rowland '95 – Nitrous oxide exposure without scavenger (3 hour/week or more) increases the risk of spontaneous abortion

 

[tinman831]

If you are concerned avoid it. Otherwise, go to the literature. I am sure there are more on this, but here is one for you.
Nitrous Oxide (pregnant employee):
Rowland '95 – Nitrous oxide exposure without scavenger (3 hour/week or more) increases the risk of spontaneous abortion

Correct. Chronic exposure can cause issues but as long as a scavenging system is used and there's no leaks, you should be fine. Having said that, I'm pretty sure that most of the pregnant females at my residency program, and my old offices, chose not to use nitrous just in case.

 

[brushyoteef0]

Correct. Chronic exposure can cause issues but as long as a scavenging system is used and there's no leaks, you should be fine. Having said that, I'm pretty sure that most of the pregnant females at my residency program, and my old offices, chose not to use nitrous just in case.

Are you a pediatric dentist?

 

[brushyoteef0]

The concerns around nitrous depend on the progression of pregnancy.

In first trimester, the concern is for birth defects and maldevelopment.
As things go towards third trimester, the concern is for premature birth.

When in doubt, avoid.

I was trying to find what type of birth defects it could cause but haven’t found any data.