Dental Sedation Services

Nervous or Anxious?

Here at Alpha House, we understand that patients may feel extremely anxious or nervous about making a visit to the dentist and undergoing dental treatment. We understand that it may have taken a frightened person days or even weeks to pluck up the courage to make an appointment. We would like to help you to deal with your fear and ensure that you receive appropriate dental care.

How we manage anxious or nervous patients is tailored to the individual. There is no 'one size fits all' strategy. All fears are personal and unique in the minds of the sufferer and every attempt is made to make the solutions and management personal and unique.

Who can benefit?

Sedation is most beneficial for nervous patients and those with dental phobia, as well as patients who are undergoing lengthy procedures. Sedation can be beneficial for patients who have a fear of visiting the dentist for the following reasons:

• Negative past experiences
• Fear of needles
• Fear of pain
• Fear of the dental drill
• Those with a sensitive gag reflex also find sedation to be a helpful solution

What is dental sedation?

Sedation is used to help patients relax during their dental treatment. Even people who do not feel anxious about dental treatment choose to have sedation for certain procedures such as having teeth removed (extractions).

At Alpha House we offer oral sedation and intravenous (IV) sedation.

Dental sedation team

Mubariz, Amy and Chris

Oral sedation (by mouth).

This involves taking an oral tablet, usually about an hour before the procedure and will help keep you calm prior to treatment. The tablet will make you drowsy, although you will still be awake you will not feel pain. This is the type of anaesthesia most commonly associated with sedation dentistry. 

Intravenous (IV) sedation.

IV sedation induces a relaxed state and prevents you from experiencing any pain. It will help you cope with dental treatment and reduce your anxiety. The treatment does not cause you to fully lose consciousness and is not the same as general anaesthetic. Patients who have been sedated will not usually remember having their dental treatment.

Afterwards you will feel drowsy and a little sleepy, and you will need to ask somebody to take you home and remain with you during the recovery process. Avoid drinking alcohol for at least 24 hours and follow your dentist’s advice. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us. You can also speak to Mubariz Hussain who is a Dental Phobia Certified dentist with many years of experience in caring for nervous and phobic patients.

IV Sedation Services are offered by Dr Christopher Perera, Consultant Anaesthetist. 

Further information

Speak to us about your fear. We will suggest that you visit the practice, perhaps to look around first or for an informal chat with one of the team, or even for an examination - whatever suites you. You are welcome to bring someone with you, who can stay with you through any part of the conversation.

Our reception and waiting areas are 'soft' and non-dental in feel, smell or appearance and we try and make it as non-threatening an environment as possible. We try and ensure that we don't have multiple patients waiting, no dental sounds are audible there is ample non-dental, current reading material.

If you would like to discuss this service, Please call us or submit the online form and we will make contact with you as soon as possible.

Other external links you might find useful:

• British Dental Health Foundation: fear of the dentist https://www.dentalhealth.org/my-fear-of-the-dentist
• Dental Fear Central: https://www.dentalfearcentral.org