Nervous patients and Sedation

If you are nervous about seeing the Dentist you are not alone – many people of all ages and backgrounds feel anxious about general dental and implant treatment.

I’m a nervous patient, what can I expect at my “Implant Consultation”?

You can expect a caring, patient, non-judgmental, professional and experienced approach to dealing with anxious patients.  Your Implant Consultation is carried out at your pace with constant explanation and reassurance and is an opportunity for the Dentist to inspect your current dentition, take some x-rays and advise you appropriately.  We employ “stop signals” therefore ensuring you are in control at all times.  Dental fear is a real and paralyzing barrier to seeking help and advice.  It is a negative cycle that without the right support and encouragement, is impossible to break.  We have a wealth of experience and are here to help with a variety of techniques at our disposal.

Treatment Plans

In proposing treatment, we will always seek your consent and take account of your own wishes.   We will explain all the options and costs before embarking on any treatment, so that you can make an informed choice.

Stop Signals

You are always in control whilst in our care.  You have the power to start or stop treatment by simply raising a hand.

Pain Management

All the Dentists at our practice are most concerned with providing pain free anesthesia and employ all the latest techniques to assist in this.

You are always in control whilst in our care.  You have the power to start or stop treatment by simply raising a hand.

Conscious/Intravenous Sedation

Conscious/Intravenous sedation is a fantastic way to alleviate patient anxiety and distress associated with dental procedures.  It is a really easy technique that involves the administration of Midazolam via a vein in the back of your hand or the inside of the elbow.  We monitor you carefully to ensure you are comfortably sedated, relaxed and happy before we start any treatment.

Once treatment is complete, you go home and rest and are back to normal by the following day. The only downside to having sedation is that an escort is required to attend, take you home and keep an eye on you until the following morning.  This tends not to be a problem as family members or friends are usually more than happy to help patients work through their anxieties.

Sedation effectively relieves anxiety and produces deep relaxation whilst you are still awake.

Sedation Advice

The following advice will help you before and after your treatment by Sedation.

After sedation, co-ordination and logical thinking may be temporarily impaired so it is important to follow the advice below for the 48 hour period following treatment. You will be able to talk and respond to any instructions where necessary throughout your treatment.

On the day of treatment:

• Have a light meal at least two hours before your treatment
• Do not drink any alcohol
• Take any routine tablets or medicines at the usual time
• Please bring a responsible adult with you who is able to wait and escort you home afterwards

After treatment:

• Rest for 1-2 days
• Do not drive a car or ride a bicycle
• Do not operate machinery or undertake anything requiring skill or judgment
• Do no climb ladders
• Do not take sleeping tablets
• Do not drink alcohol
• Do not make any vital decision or sign legal documents
• Please ensure that you have someone to stay with you for 24 hours following treatment

If you have any concerns after your treatment please telephone the Practice on 01285 640248 or if outside surgery hours, please call the On-Call Mobile Number: 07912 668541