How to Pre­pare for a Seda­tion Den­tistry Appoint­ment: A Com­plete Checklist

In this guide, we’re looking at the role of dental sedation in dentistry and how you can prepare for your appointment. We’ll look at every step in the process so you can be confident that it’s the right choice for you.

How does sedation dentistry work?

When you have a surgical procedure carried out in the hospital, you will be placed under a general anaesthetic which will put you to sleep for the duration of the procedure. This can then be reversed at the end of the treatment and you will wake up.

At the dentist, we often use local anaesthetic to help manage any discomfort during your treatment. This will numb a specific area so that your dentist can carry out the treatment without causing any discomfort.

If you are very nervous about the treatment, we can use something called oral conscious sedation to help you to relax, but without having to put you to sleep. If you’re curious about how this works, these are the steps involved.

Step one: consultation

Before we can determine if you are a suitable candidate for sedation dentistry, you will need to have a consultation with your dentist. During this consultation, your dentist will ask questions about your medical history and make sure that you are aware of the aftercare requirements.

You will also need to sign a consent form to state that you are aware of the risks and the aftercare recommendations. It’s vital that you make sure everything is clear and ask questions if you are unsure about anything. There are no silly questions and we would much rather you confirm something that you might think is obvious than to be unsure about something further down the line.

Step two: preparing for your appointment

It’s a good idea to take the day off work, or schedule your appointment for later in the day so that you can go home after your treatment. If you are very nervous, it’s usually recommended to book your appointment earlier in the day so that you have less time to think about it.

You’ll need to arrive at the dentist earlier than you usually would for an appointment. This could be around one hour or 30 minutes before your appointment. When you arrive, you may be given a pill or an injection. The sedatives will quickly get to work and help you to feel more relaxed and calm. Another unique aspect of conscious sedation is that you often lose track of time, so a long appointment will seem to pass by much more quickly.

Step three: during the treatment

Your dentist will still use local anaesthetic during your treatment, so you won’t feel a thing. You will be very relaxed and even a little bit sleepy. You might even nod off during your treatment. If you do fall asleep, your dentist will be able to wake you easily with a tap on the arm.

At the end of your appointment, you may want a moment to collect yourself before you go home. You will need to have someone with you to accompany you home. You cannot drive, and we don’t recommend taking public transport alone. Ideally, you will have someone who can accompany you home and stay with you in case there are any complications from your treatment.

Step four: aftercare at home

The effects of the sedation will usually last until the next day. Most patients will go home and simply sleep it off so that they can start the next day feeling refreshed. You may feel the effects of your anaesthetic starting to wear off, so we recommend being ready with over the counter painkillers. If there are any issues after your treatment, you can call the dentist for advice and support.

Sedation dentistry checklist

If you’re thinking about dental sedation for an upcoming treatment, make sure you familiarise yourself with this treatment checklist so you can be prepared.

• Have to read and understand the consent forms provided by your dentist?

• Are you aware of the aftercare requirements?

• Have you booked time off work and arranged childcare?

• Do you have someone who can take you home and stay with you after your appointment?

• Have you arranged to arrive at the dental practice with plenty of time before your treatment?

• Have you stocked up on painkillers that are suitable for your needs?

• Do you have suitable food ready for after your treatment? For example, you may need soft or easy to eat food like mashed potato or soup.

• Do you have your dentist’s details in the event of an emergency after your treatment?

• Do you know the signs to look out for that something might be amiss with your treatment?

Final thoughts on preparing for a sedation dentistry appointment

If you’re very nervous about a longer dental treatment, sedation dentistry could offer a path forward. Get in touch with our team today to book an appointment and learn more about how this might help you.