Phobic treatment
Do not worry, you are not alone. Many people are afraid of visiting their doctor or dentist. We have many years of experience dealing with phobic patients. From basic TLC (tender loving care) to fully controlled intravenous sedation, our techniques are devised to suit your needs. Do not avoid going to the dentist, make an appointment to talk. Working within such a large hospital allows us to offer the full range of treatment in a safe environment.
Intravenous sedation
During intravenous sedation, a consultant anaesthetist delivers sedating medication through a vein which relaxes the patient to such an extent that he or she can tolerate dental treatment easily with little or no recall of the event. It is an extremely safe procedure which we provide to frightened patients or when treatment is extensive (such as large bone grafts). On average we carry out 150-200 IV sedation cases per year.
Oral sedation
It is sometimes possible to alleviate patients' anxiety by prescribing a sedative tablet prior to the procedure. You would need to swallow the tablet one hour before the treatment starts. Your dentist will discuss the pros and cons of oral sedation with you during the consultation appointment.
General anaesthesia
General anaesthesia is rarely required for phobic patients. It is used during complex procedures such as advanced surgical cases or when it is not possible for patients to tolerate intravenous sedation, for example in young children or special needs patients.
