Nervous Patients

Do you feel anxious or scared about visiting the dentist? If so, you are not alone. Research shows that around 13% of people in the UK avoid regular dental check-ups due to fear. At our practice, we believe that everyone should have access to high-quality dental care, regardless of their fears or concerns. That’s why we are here to help you overcome your anxiety and feel comfortable during your appointments.

We understand that dental phobia is common, and we have experience in treating anxious patients. We offer a range of techniques and equipment to help you feel more relaxed, and we always take things at your own pace. So, if you’ve been putting off a dental appointment, don’t hesitate to give us a call and see how we can help.

For those who are extremely nervous, we also offer dental sedation. This can be a useful option for those who avoid the dentist altogether, and can help to reduce anxiety during treatment. Our sedation team will be happy to talk you through the options and answer any questions you may have.

There are two types of dental sedation available: IV sedation and oral sedation. IV sedation involves the administration of a sedative through a vein in the hand, which induces deep relaxation and temporary memory loss. This is not suitable for children. Oral sedation, on the other hand, involves taking a sedative tablet before treatment to help you feel more relaxed. You must have someone to bring you and take you home if you opt for sedation.

We always try to help patients without using sedation first, but we understand that it may be necessary in some cases. Whatever your situation, we are here to help you feel comfortable and confident during your dental appointments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Sedation Dentistry feel like?

You will remain conscious and able to talk during your dental sedation in Smile Hub Dental Clinic. You will be able to understand and respond to our dental team. Intravenous sedation induces a state of deep relaxiation and you will be very comfortable throughout your dental treatment. The drugs used for sedation can cause partial or complete memory loss for the period of time that the drug is working until it wears off. You will feel that time passes quickly and you will not recall much about your dental treatment. You may in fact feel that you were ‘asleep’ during the procedure even though you weren’t.

Call us in Smile Hub Dental Clinic in North Dublin today or Book Online Now to arrange your nervous dental patient conscious sedation consultation.

Is local anaesthetic still needed?

Yes the drugs used for intravenous sedation are anti-anxiety drugs that relax you but you will still need to be numbed for your treatment. However, you will not be numbed until the intravenous sedation has taken effect. If you have a phobia of needles you will be really relaxed before the local anaesthetic injection is administered.

How is Sedation administered?

Intravenous sedation is administered into your vein. A thin needle is placed in your vein close to the skin in your arm or in the back of the hand. During the procedure your blood pressure, pulse and oxygen levels will be closely monitored. A typical sedation appointment ususally lasts 90 minutes.

What drug is used for my sedation dentistry?

At Smile Hub Dental Clinic in Bayside Medical Centre we use a benzodiazepine called midazolam.

Is sedation safe?

Yes, at Smile Hub Dental Clinic all of our sedation dentists have undergone an 18 month postgraduate Diploma in Conscious Sedation.

Contraindications to having sedation with dental treatment:

Sleep apnoea
Known allergy to benzodiazepine
Alcohol intoxication
Impaired renal or liver function
Pregnancy and breast feeding

Advantages of Conscious Sedation

Conscious sedation makes dental treatment relaxing and comfortable for patients with moderate to severe dental anxiety. The onset of action is rapid and the level of sedation can be tailored to the patient’s individual needs. A deeper level of sedation can be achieved with intravenous sedation compared to inhalation sedation.
Conscious sedation makes traumatic surgical procedures relaxing and comfortable for the patient. Benzodiazepines produce amnesia.
Patient’s with gag and swallow reflexes can have their dental treatment undertaken in comfort
Conscious sedation relieves stress for patients with mild medical conditions such as hypertension and asthma whose conditions can be aggravated by the stress of dental treatment
Conscious sedation makes dental treatment more comfortable for patients with mild intellectual and physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy

The following after care dental sedation advice is given by your dentist inSmile Hub Dental Clinic:

Have your escort take you home in private transport so that you can rest for the remainder of the day. You must be looked after by a responsible adult for 24 hours
Do not drive for 24 hours or operate any machinery or domestic appliances
Do not perform strenuous or hazardous activities such as mowing the lawn for 24 hours
Eat light meals for the remainder of the day
Do not drink alcohol, return to work, make important decisions or sign any legal documents for 24 hours
Take any medications that you have been prescribed at their usual times

What are the advantages of Conscious Sedation during dental treatment?

At Smile Hub Dental Clinic we educate our nervous patients on the following benefits of having conscious sedation with their dental treatment:

Conscious sedation makes dental treatment relaxing and comfortable for patients with moderate to severe dental anxiety. The onset of action is rapid and the level of sedation can be tailored to the patient’s individual needs. A deeper level of sedation can be achieved with intravenous sedation compared to inhalation sedation.
Conscious sedation makes traumatic surgical procedures relaxing and comfortable for the patient. Benzodiazepines produce amnesia.
Patient’s with gag and swallow reflexes can have their dental treatment undertaken in comfort
Conscious sedation relieves stress for patients with mild medical conditions such as hypertension and asthma whose conditions can be aggravated by the stress of dental treatment
Conscious sedation makes dental treatment more comfortable for patients with mild intellectual and physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy

What happens after I have sedation for my dental treatment in Smile Hub Dental Clinic?

Your dentist in Smile Hub Dental Clinic will go through what to expect before, during and after your dental treatment with sedation.

Have your escort take you home in private transport so that you can rest for the remainder of the day. You must be looked after by a responsible adult for 24 hours
Do not drive for 24 hours or operate any machinery or domestic appliances
Do not perform strenous or hazardous activities such as mowing the lawn for 24 hours
Eat light meals for the remainder of the day
Do not drink alcohol, return to work, make important decisions or sign any legal documents for 24 hours
Take any medications that you have been prescribed at their usual times