Abstract: Objective: To compare the effect of oral dexmedetomidine and oral midazolam on preoperative cooperation among children who underwent dental procedures. Methods: Sixty patients were equally randomized divided into two groups: midazolam group (n=30) and dexmedetomidine group (n=30). Midazolam was taken orally with 0.5 mg/kg. Dexmedetomidine was taken orally with 2 μg /kg. The changes of heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂) of the two groups were recorded before premedication and 10 min, 20 min, and 30 min after administration. Ramsay sedation rating scale was used to evaluate the sedation effect of two groups. The acceptance rate of face mask, the parental separation anxiety scale, and emergence delirium scale were observed. Results: At 10 min, 20 min, and 30 min after administration, there was no significant difference in HR, RR, and SpO₂ between two groups (P>0.05). The Ramsay scores at 10 min, 20 min, and 30 min after premedication were not statistically different (P>0.05) in both groups. The rate of acceptance face mask and separation from parental were not statistically different (P>0.05) in both groups. The incidence of emergence delirium in dexmedetomidine group was lower than that of midazolam group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine is a safe and effective sedative agent for pediatric anesthetic premedication.

Key words: dexmedetomidine, midazolam, children