Nervous Patients & Sedation Services
Nervous Patients
Our mission is to provide comfortable treatments in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere so that all patients feel relaxed and welcome. We are committed to providing such a high level of care that even patients with severe dental anxiety will find there is no need to avoid receiving treatment.
If you suffer from dental anxiety, we will strive to do everything we can to make your visit to our clinic as comfortable and relaxing as possible.
Compassionate Staff
Although advanced dental sedation is an important part in treating you, we believe that having compassionate, kind and gentle staff goes a long way to helping to reduce dental anxiety too.
For this reason, we have put together a professional team that takes great pride in providing you a calming and supportive environment where you will feel comfortable. Each team member listens to your needs, which enables our consultants to tailor treatment with ease to your specific fears and concerns. We also strive to make sure all appointments are on time as we believe this can greatly reduce your stress as well.
Our dentists, hygienists, and other team members are committed to providing outstanding dental care throughout your treatment with us.
Types of Sedation offered
- Oral Sedatives
- Nitrous Oxide Sedation (laughing gas or inhalation sedation)
- IV sedation (intravenous)
Anxious Children
When your child needs a lengthy or technically difficult course of dental treatment, Inhalation Sedation (happy gas) is an accepted procedure in Paediatric Dentistry. We are specially trained in the administration of sedation on children. It is carried out in the dental chair and helps to reduce anxiety.
We have an excellent safety record in sedation procedures. We will always inform you about the benefits and risks of any dental treatment prior to starting.
Information and Instructions for Conscious Sedation
Conscious sedation is NOT general anaesthesia. You WILL BE conscious. You will be able to communicate with the dentist. You will be able to respond to instructions. Conscious sedation is a method of making treatment considerably more pleasant. With modern drugs the use of general anaesthesia is usually not necessary for dentistry and conscious sedation has distinct advantages both in post-operative comfort and safety. The effects of conscious sedation are similar to the effects of alcohol but without the unpleasant after-effects. Most patients remember little or nothing about the procedure. Most patients find the experience extremely pleasant.
You will need to fast prior to conscious sedation. The fasting procedure is as follows:
- Nil by mouth 2 hours before the procedure (no food or drink)
- Clear liquids only from 2-6 hours before the procedure (e.g. water, black tea/coffee (no milk), 7Up etc.)
- No food 6 hours before the procedure.
You will need an escort to accompany you home and to stay with you for 24 hours after the procedure.
Please have at least one fingernail free from gel nails and dark nail varnish.
Following conscious sedation your judgement will be impaired for some hours and you must follow the instructions we give you. There is often a feeling of excessive well-being and ability to cope with normal situations which, in fact, you will not be fit to do.
