Seda­tion Den­tistry: Is It Right for You? A Guide for Anx­ious Patients

Thankfully, there are steps you can take to help alleviate your fear of the dentist. Many dentists are now offering a form of sedation in some cases, and this could help you to work through your fears while still accessing the care you need. Here’s everything you need to know about oral conscious sedation for dental anxiety.

What can nervous patients do about their fear of the dentist?

If you have a fear of the dentist, there are a few steps you can take. You can work with your dentist to gradually overcome your phobia by slowly building up exposure. This could start with a simple checkup and then progress to include essential treatment and procedures. This would be practical if you are able to rationalise your phobia and understand where it comes from.

For those who know that they need treatment but are unable to even consider getting through the door, we can offer oral conscious sedation. This is more commonly used for longer procedures to help individuals to relax. A relaxed patient is much easier to work with, so it offers benefits to the dentist, too.

Introducing oral conscious sedation

Oral conscious sedation, or OCS, is a pill that you can take before your treatment. It makes you feel a little sleepy and much more calm. You won’t have the panic response that you might be accustomed to.

If you are so relaxed you are able to drop off to sleep, we will be able to wake you with a tap on the arm. You aren’t unconscious but you will feel much more relaxed.

The treatment will seem to go by much more quickly and you won’t remember much about the treatment afterwards. It wears off after a few hours, but you might feel a little more sleepy for the rest of the day.

Why can’t we put people to sleep?

Putting people to sleep for dental surgery would require extensive resources to ensure the patient is breathing and safe. We would need to provide oxygen so you continue breathing. We would also need to monitor vital signs such as heart rate, and this would require a specialist member of staff.

It also takes much longer to recover from general anaesthetic and there are much higher risks to health. Finally, you will be completely unconscious, so you won’t be able to respond to questions. It is far better for the dentist and the patient for the individual to be conscious and responsive.

Who is a good candidate for OCS?

You could be a good candidate for OCS if you are nervous about a trip to the dentist and you’re concerned that it might prevent you from being able to attend an appointment. You could also be a good candidate if you are scheduled to undergo an extensive treatment such as dental implant placement.

You don’t have to be a nervous patient to make the most of this opportunity. It can simply help you to feel more relaxed and at ease during a longer procedure. As we mentioned above, a relaxed patient makes life easier for the dentist, as they are less likely to move around, flinch, or make any other sudden movements.

Things to consider about OCS

Before choosing to undergo OCS, there are a few things to keep in mind.

• OCS is not an alternative to local anaesthetic. If you’re choosing this path because you are afraid of needles, this won’t replace the need for needles to prevent pain during your treatment.

• You won’t be able to drive yourself home after your treatment and you will need someone to escort you home and stay with you.

• You’ll need to take it easy for around 12-24 hours after your treatment. We recommend going home and sleeping off the OCS.

Ready to discuss OCS?

If you think OCS could help you with your fear of the dentist, get in touch with our team today. We can help you to choose the right treatment plan for your needs.