GENERAL ANAESTHESIA (GA) is the drug induced absence of all sensation allowing surgery or other painful procedures to be carried out on an unconscious (ASLEEP) patient. Inhalation agents may be used as well as other general anaesthetic agents to achieve  this state. The patient must be starved prior to the treatment and must be accompanied by a responsible escort.
The drugs used include:
premedication drugs which increase the effect of the GA and help the patient to relax before the procedure.
neuromuscular blocking agents which relax abdominal muscles, diaphragm, and respiratory muscles. They also relax the vocal chords allowing the passage of an endotracheal tube.
intravenous induction agents are very potent drugs which bring about the state of general anaesthesia.

Fewer and fewer dental surgeries now provide GA and emphasis is now on finding a more suitable safer alternative with referral to hospital for GA being a last resort.