Intravenous sedation is a modern, effective, safe and predictable way to help reduce anxiety in patients and makes potentially more stressful procedures easier to manage.

Intravenous sedation is when a sedative drug (medicine) is given to you by injection into a vein. It is usually given in the arm or back of the hand through a cannula. A cannula is a thin flexible tube placed into the vein. An extremely thin needle is used to put the cannula in but is removed immediately. The cannula will remain in place until you are ready to go home after treatment.

You will be sedated by a dentist trained in sedation who will be assisted by a sedation trained dental nurse.

The drugs are anti-anxiety sedative drugs called benzodiazepines, most commonly your dentist will sedate you with a drug called midazolam.

As you are not unconscious, IV sedation is very safe when supervised and carried out by a trained dentist and avoids risks of general anaesthesia.

Within a few minutes of the sedative drug being given, you will begin to feel the pleasant effects such as decreasing anxiety and a general feeling of wellbeing. You will not be asleep and will remain conscious throughout. Once you are comfortable and relaxed, dental treatment will be carried out in the usual way. Local anaesthetic injections are still required to numb the teeth being treated. Your dentist and members of the dental team are trained to give sedation. They watch you closely and treat any problems that may develop. They are also required to use monitoring equipment during the sedation, to check your heart rate and oxygen levels. You will be observed until you have made a full recovery from the sedation. You may feel unsteady on your feet for some hours after the procedure and your ability to think clearly and make judgements may be affected for the next 24 hours. You may experience some forgetfulness on the day of sedation.

As with the administration of any medicines there are risks associated with intravenous sedation. These might include: The common risks may include: Drowsiness (Feeling tired) Amnesia (memory loss) Disorientation (Dizziness and/or confusion) Nausea (feeling sick) Bruising at the site of the cannula. This may take several days to fade. A reduction of oxygen in the blood stream due to poor/reduced breathing during sedation. This will be monitored during the procedure. You may be asked to take deep breaths to correct this. Very rare risks may include: Vomiting (being sick) Allergy to the sedative drugs Sometimes the intravenous sedation can cause a person to share information of a personal nature. If you do share information, this will be treated confidentially.

Following treatment you will remain in the practice until you are assessed as ready to leave by the dentist. This may be up to one hour after your treatment is completed. It is normal to feel like resting once you get home. The effects of the sedative drug will remain for 24 hours, therefore it is essential you follow the post operative instructions that are given to you.

You will need to attend a short appointment before you are offered sedation to plan your treatment and take some measurements to make sure that intravenous sedation is appropriate for you. Please bring along details of all your medications, and details of any medical conditions you have or have had in the past. Please bring details of an emergency contact and the name and address of your doctor. You will have your blood pressure taken at your assessment appointment so please wear a short sleeved top or sleeves that roll up easily, occasionally you may be required to arrange an appointment with your GP regarding blood pressure. Please be aware that the dentist is required to ask you about recreational drug use at this appointment, so please do not be offended and be prepared to answer honestly.

A sedation session will cost £300 for sedation and then any additional dental treatment cost. When booking a sedation assessment appointment, you will be required to pay a £60 deposit. If you wish to go ahead with treatment, this will be credited to your account. However, if you cancel your appointment (or fail to attend) with less than 24 hours’ notice your deposit will not be returned. You will be required to pay the full balance of treatment before the sedation appointment is booked to secure the appointment. However, if you cancel (or fail to attend) your appointment with less than 24 hours’ notice or you have not followed the instructions to prepare you for sedation, your sedation fee will not be returned.

You MUST be accompanied by a responsible adult (aged 18 or over) who can take responsibility for you following treatment. If arrangements have not been made for someone to accompany you home, you will not be able to have the sedation. Your escort MUST arrive with you and remain no more than 10 minutes away while you are treated, take you home safely and arrange for you to be looked after until the next day. Eat a light meal (ie toast, cereal) 2-3 hours before your appointment. Ensure you drink plenty of water before attending for treatment. Do NOT drink alcohol for 24 hours before your appointment, or 24 hours afterwards. Do NOT bring children to your treatment visit. Take any routine medication as normal unless you have been advised not to by your dentist. You should bring a list of your routine medications with you to the appointment. Make sure you have informed your dentist of ALL medical conditions, medications or allergies. Do NOT wear nail varnish or acrylic nails when attending your appointment. If you are unwell on the day with cold/flu symptoms or any contagious illness, please contact us for advice as the appointment may need to be rearranged. Please inform your dentist if you are pregnant, trying to conceive or are breastfeeding. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU FOLLOW ALL THE ABOVE INSTRUCTIONS OR YOUR SEDATION APPOINTMENT MAY BE CANCELLED AND YOUR DEPOSIT WILL NOT BE RETURNED

You must travel home by taxi or private car not public transport. You must not drive, cook or use machinery or sharp implements for 24 hours after sedation. A responsible adult should stay with you at home for 24 hours after sedation. You must not have responsibility for another child or adult for 24 hours after sedation. You must make arrangements for any children or other individuals that you care for to be looked after by a responsible adult for 24 hours after sedation. You must not drink alcohol, return to work, make important decisions or sign legal documents for 24 hours after sedation. Care should be taken when using the internet or social media for personal communication or any online purchases for 24 hours after sedation. You should take your usual prescribed medications unless directed otherwise by your dentist.