Originally published in 2019.
Republished in 2022 following global agreement validation.
The 2022 version reflects methodological standardisation within the IAPD Consensus & Foundational Articles framework and formal evaluation of international agreement. No substantive changes were made to the clinical recommendations.
Local anaesthesia is an essential component of paediatric dental care and allows dental procedures to be performed safely and comfortably by providing effective pain control. Proper use of local anaesthetic techniques contributes significantly to positive treatment experiences and helps prevent dental fear or anxiety in children.
The administration of local anaesthesia in children requires careful consideration of anatomical differences, dosage limitations, and behavioural factors unique to paediatric patients.
Core principles include:
When administered appropriately, local anaesthesia is safe and highly effective in providing pain control during paediatric dental treatment.
Local anaesthesia should be used when dental procedures are expected to cause pain or discomfort.
Appropriate dosage calculations based on the child’s body weight are essential to ensure safe administration of local anaesthetic agents.
Dental professionals should use techniques and delivery methods that minimise discomfort during injection.
(Evidence-based recommendations are not subject to global agreement scoring.)
(Evaluated for Global Agreement in 2022)
Behaviour guidance techniques should be used alongside local anaesthesia to support a positive treatment experience for the child.
Dental professionals should carefully monitor children during and after the administration of local anaesthesia to detect potential complications or adverse reactions.
Parents or caregivers should receive appropriate instructions regarding postoperative care, including precautions to prevent soft tissue injury while the anaesthetic effect persists.
Local anaesthesia should be integrated with comprehensive treatment planning to ensure safe and effective management of paediatric dental patients.
To support clinical implementation and knowledge translation, IAPD has developed complementary educational materials.
🎙 IAPD Podcast Series
Relevant discussions within the IAPD Podcast Series may explore pain management and clinical techniques used in paediatric dental care.
▶ Listen to the Podcast
🎥 IAPD Webinar
Relevant webinars may address clinical management strategies and pain control techniques for paediatric dental patients.
▶ Watch the Webinar Recording
International Association of Paediatric Dentistry (IAPD).
IAPD Foundational Articles and Recommendations on Local Anaesthesia in Pediatric Dentistry.
Originally published 2019. Global Agreement Validation 2022.
