Sedation is the administration of a drug to relax a patient. Together with adequate pain control, it allows patients to:
- undertake procedures they may be anxious about,
- undertake complex procedures,
- undertake multiple treatments in one visit.
Intravenous (IV) sedation
IV sedation can be considered the strongest method of sedation and is a safer alternative to a general anaesthetic. You will not be asleep: the drug works by reducing anxiety and relaxing you. You will need a chaperone to accompany you and someone to care for you for the 12 hours after the procedure.
Numbing creams can be used to make the insertion of the small needle, through which the drug is given, almost painless.
When sedated you are very relaxed, but always awake and aware of your surroundings. The only way to "put a patient to sleep" is a general anaesthetic, which for safety reasons should only take place in hospital under the care of an anaesthetist. In Dr Dadswell's experience, 95% of treatments can be completed successfully with intravenous sedation.
Oral and intra-nasal sedation
Given as a tablet or as a fine spray into the nose. This technique is usually used as a pre-medication before IV sedation, to help patients tolerate the small cannula.
Inhalation sedation (no longer provided)
Also known as laughing gas, inhalation sedation suits young adults, children and patients with moderate anxiety. Please note it has not been provided at the clinic since August 2022.
For more information about sedation, see dentalphobia.co.uk.
Nearly 40% of the population become anxious when thinking about having dental treatment. Every year conscious sedation helps hundreds of patients control their anxiety. Even though a patient is sedated they still require a gentle empathetic approach.
Dr Dadswell trained in conscious sedation at Manchester Dental Hospital, and the clinic is a member of the Dental Sedation Teachers Group.