Dental Sedation

If you are anxious about dental treatment then you are not alone. Between 6-14% of the population avoid attending the dentist because of anxiety. Between 45-55% of patients who attended the dentist are anxious in the dental environment. We are very understanding about this. The reasons people fear attending the dentist are varied fear of the unknown. The fear of treatment may appear to the patient to be irrational, uncontrollable and without obvious cause. Such patients will only attend for treatment when in extreme discomfort or never at all. As a result their dental condition deteriorates to the point where their appearance is affected. This can cause embarrassment and loss of self-confidence. When you make the appointment at the tell the receptionist you are nervous about treatment.

Intravenous Sedation uses sedative drugs to rapidly create a relaxed state that is maintained and monitored throughout treatment. You will become drowsy and unaware of any treatment, but you will still be able to co-operate with the dentist. It is the method of choice for the treatment of the highly fearful patient and those patients that want to be very comfortable during treatment. The effects of intravenous sedation will take some time to wear off so you will need an escort to and from the surgery and also someone to stay with you for the rest of the day. You will not be able to drive, operate machinery or drink alcohol during this time. If you feel you would like to find out more about what we can offer please phone the practice and either book a consultation with Dr Annette O’Donovan or you could speak to one of our fully trained staff, or even email us: info@limerickdentist.com

http://www.dentalfearcentral.org for more info on dental sedation.

Sedation Instruction Sheet

You have been offered sedation in order to help you relax. Most people find this a pleasant and acceptable way of receiving dental treatment. You will receive the sedation agent through a scratch on the back of you hand or arm. Once you feel drowsy and sufficiently relaxed, your mouth will be numbed and dental work will be commenced. During the procedure you will feel peaceful and largely unaware of what is going on; on fact many patients do not remember anything about their treatment. At the end of the session you will be allowed to recover you are fit enough to be discharged home.

It is essential that you observe the following instructions:

1. You MUST NOT eat or drink anything for two hours prior to your appointment. Before this you should have a light meal e.g. toast and tea, coffee or fruit juice.

2. You MUST be accompanied by a responsible adult who must remain in the practice throughout you entire appointment, escort you home afterwards and arrange for you to be looked after for the following 24 hours.

3. If you are taking any medicines they should be taken at the usual times and should also be brought with you so that the dentist may know what they contain.

4. Any illness occurring before the appointment should be reported immediately, as this may affect your treatment.

5. Your escort should take you home after your treatment by private car rather than by public transport.

6. You MUST NOT drive any vehicle, operate any machinery or use any domestic appliances for 24 hours following sedation.

7. You MUST NOT drink alcohol, return to work or sign any legal documents for 24 hours after sedation

8. Please DO NOT drink any alcohol for 24 hours prior to you appointment.

9. Please wear a short sleeved top as we will be monitoring your blood pressure through
out the procedure.

PLEASE ENSURE THAT we can contact you on the day of your appointment as it may be necessary to bring you appointment forward. We will need you telephone numbers.

PLEASE NOTE: FAILURE TO ATTEND your appointment will result in a charge of €200. Failure to inform practice of cancellation within 24 hours will be noted as a failed appointment.

POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS:

It is important that you observe the following instructions after your sedation session.

They are as follows:

1. You MUST be accompanied by a responsible adult who must remain in the practice throughout your appointment, escort you home afterwards and arrange for you to be looked after for the following 24 hours.

2. You MUST NOT drive any vehicle, operate any machinery or use any domestic appliances for 24 hours following sedation.

3. You MUST NOT drink any alcohol, return to work, make any appointments or sign any legal documents for 24 hours after sedation.

4. f you are taking any medicines they should be taken at the usual times supervised by your escort for the 24 hours following sedation.

5. Any illness occurring after the appointment should be reported immediately to the practice.

Your escort should take you home after your treatment by private car rather than by public transport.