Nervous patients and sedation at Essex Family Dental
Many patients feel extremely nervous about visiting their dentist – in fact almost half of all adults have a fear of the dentist! This often leads to avoidance of dental treatments altogether, which can cause further issues with dental health. At Essex Family Dental, we have a highly experienced team which specialises in anxiety management and sedation in dentistry and can put even the most nervous patients at ease with their dentist. If you or anyone in your family suffers with a phobia of visiting the dentist, there are many ways in which we can help you receive the dental treatment you need.
I am not nervous. Can I still have dental treatment under sedation?
There are many reasons why sedation might be the right choice for you. If you need to have a difficult procedure done or have sensitivities with your dental care, you’ll have a more relaxing and pleasant experience with treatment under sedation. Please contact our sedation treatment coordinators who will be happy to help you with your treatment journey.
Why are some patients nervous about seeing the dentist?
There are various reasons why an individual may feel nervous about visiting the dentist; perhaps they’ve had a bad experience in the past, have a phobia of needles, are self-conscious about their teeth or are simply scared of feeling any pain. The severity of a person’s fear can also differ too. Some may just feel some light nerves, whereas others might experience a physical reaction when attending their dental practice, such as nausea, dizziness or fainting spells. Whatever the cause of your anxiety, rest assured that our highly experienced dental team understands your concerns. They’ll take the time to care for you and make you feel as comfortable and calm as possible. They’re trained to deal with all levels of dental anxiety and will never make you feel foolish for being nervous.
What help can I receive as a nervous patient?
There are many techniques that can help a nervous patient feel calmer when attending their dental appointment. The first and most important step is to tell your dentist about your anxiety; you might wish to inform the reception when booking or attending your appointment, or you can notify your dentist when you enter the surgery. Your dentist will take the time to understand a bit more about your fear before settling you into the comfy dental chair and carrying out any dental examinations. They can talk you through the process and give you as much information as you feel comfortable with, providing calming reassurance all along the way. It may help you to follow some breathing techniques or bring along some relaxing music to listen to. You can also agree on a signal with your dentist in case you start to feel overwhelmed during your appointment and need a few moments to pause and regroup. As an independent patient you can even choose your dentist in advance by reading through their bios.
What are the benefits of being sedated during dental treatment?
For those who are extremely anxious about their dental treatment, sedation removes pain and discomfort and makes the patient feel extremely relaxed - in the case of IV sedation, the patient won’t even recall having had treatment! Whilst you won’t be asleep, you will feel very calm and sleepy and much less aware of your nerves. Our Whalebone Lane, Romford - Chadwell Health practice has one of only a few dedicated dental sedation facilities in the country. Our very experienced sedation team will ensure you enjoy special treatment during your appointment to help you feel calm and reassured.
Can sedation be used for all types of dental treatment?
Yes. You’ll be pleased to know that regardless of the treatment you require, sedation is available.
Can children be sedated for their dental treatment?
Yes, sedation is available for patients of all ages, including children. One of the most common options for younger patients is Paediatric Relative Analgesia (RA), also known as inhalation sedation. This is a safe, non-invasive method that uses a blend of nitrous oxide and oxygen, gently inhaled through a small mask placed over the nose. It works to reduce both anxiety and discomfort during dental procedures, helping children feel relaxed, warm, and even a little giggly - all while remaining fully conscious and able to communicate with the dentist throughout.
Who will I meet from the sedation team?
Our IV sedations are administered by our team of anaesthetists; your anaesthetist will be the doctor that looks after all aspects of your dental sedation. They are registered with the General Medical Council and the Society for the Advancement of Anaesthesia in Dentistry and have decades of experience in sedation, both in hospitals and dental practices. In addition, you will also have a separate dentist who will provide your dental treatment while you are sedated.
What type of sedation is used at Essex Family Dental?
There are different levels of sedation available and several methods can be used:
- Relative Analgesia (RA), commonly known as gas and air, is breathed through a nosepiece and makes you feel relaxed.
- IV single drug is an effective sedation method whereby you shouldn’t remember having your treatment while sedated.
- IV multi drug / Advanced Sedation is a most effective sedation option to achieve the best comfort, pain relief and experience. You’ll be least likely to remember your treatment with an advanced sedation.
Can I get Advanced Sedation elsewhere?
There are very few specialised clinics in England which are able to provide Advanced Sedation in dentistry due to the training and experience required. We are experts in this particular field.
What makes us different?
Our clinic in Romford was designed and built specifically for the sole purpose of providing dental sedation. Over the last 25 years, our team have provided well over 112,000 sedations. Other dental practices claim to offer sedation, but they are limited by their experience and license and only provide sedation to the occasional patient. As a sedation clinic, we put as much importance on the quality of our sedation as we do on the quality of our dentistry.
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How can I book an appointment?
Typically, your dentist will plan which dental treatment is required and send a medical referral to the clinic for your treatment.
Can I book directly?
Yes. We do accept private direct access appointments if you do not have a dentist. Please click the booking link for a sedation consultation or speak with one of our sedation treatment coordinators on 0208 599 4283.
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What does dental sedation cost?
Dental sedations start from £280 and are based on the estimated treatment time. The cost is a separate, additional charge to the dental treatment. For more specific pricing, please contact our sedation treatment coordinators so that we can provide you with a bespoke treatment plan and pricing.
If you’d like to see a dentist as a nervous patient, please get in touch and have a chat with us here at Essex Family Dental.
Have you thought about?
Private dentistry
Independent dental treatment is more accessible than many people realise, offering longer appointments, greater flexibility and the option for same-day availability, all as part of our premium, personalised service.
Frequently asked questions about dental anxiety
You’ll need to prepare for your appointment differently depending on the type of sedation being used, and our friendly team will you give you all the information you need in advance of your treatment. As a guide, however, fasting is required for 4 hours before an IV sedation.
Yes. You’ll need to be accompanied home by someone after your sedation and we’d ask that they also remain at the clinic during your treatment.
Please don’t hesitate to speak to our team about your phobia, and they’ll do all they can to put you at ease. Rest assured, however, the needle used for IV sedation is very thin and most patients describe the sensation as nothing more than a mild pinprick.
