For Nervous Patients: Sleep dentistry
We love dentistry, but we know that some people find dental visits a bit scary. Sleep dentistry can help nervous patients receive the dental treatment they need.
Dental fear comes in all shapes and sizes:
- Some people feel mildly fearful and just need a little help to feel more relaxed: others experience severe anxiety and really don’t want to be awake for any part of their treatment.
- People who are usually happy to sit in the chair for check ups and fillings might feel differently about procedures like root canal treatment or teeth extractions.
Unfortunately, fear sometimes drives people to put off getting the care they need, risking further deterioration of the health of their teeth and gums.
Dental and oral health are essential elements of overall good health and well-being. That’s why it’s so important that fearful people receive the extra support they need to get to the dentist for treatment.
Our dentist, Dr Nick White, and the rest of our dental team have a calm and gentle approach to dental care, especially for nervous patients. We’ll respectfully listen to your concerns and help you decide how to receive any treatment. If you have any dental fears, we won’t ever push you beyond your comfort zone.
Many people will find that dental appointments become far less scary once they find a dental team that puts them at ease. We aim always to help you and your family feel calm and comfortable at the dentist. If this means you’d prefer to have dental sedation, we can help.
We offer two forms of sleep dentistry (dental sedation).
Oral sedation dentistry
If patients have mild to moderate anxiety about treatment, we can offer oral sedation. This type of conscious sedation uses an oral sedative to induce relaxation. The patient remains awake throughout their visit, but the sedative works to lower their feelings of anxiety.
We can offer this type of sleep dentistry for a range of treatments, including
- General dentistry, including fillings and root canal treatment
- Minor oral surgery, including removal of wisdom teeth and other extractions
- The placement of dental implants
- Procedures requiring a long appointment
Dr Nick can work with your general practitioner to ensure an appropriate oral sedative has been prescribed. You’ll be asked to take this medication one hour before your procedure.
To keep you safe while we work, we monitor you using a pulse oximeter (a device that sits on your finger and measures the amount of oxygen in the blood).
The effects of the sedative may last for several hours. Because of the sedation, the patient cannot drive themselves and must be accompanied home.
Dentistry under general anaesthesia in the hospital
If a patient is really scared and just wants to “fall asleep for dental treatment”, Dr Nick is credentialed to admit patients to nearby St Stephen’s Hospital in Hervey Bay. At St. Stephen’s, treatments are provided under a general anaesthetic (commonly called a GA).
General anaesthesia is where a combination of medications is used to put you in a sleep-like state. Under general anaesthesia, you aren’t aware of what the dentist is doing because you’re completely unconscious.
One of the hospital’s highly-trained anaesthetists induces the anaesthesia and monitors the patient during the procedure. Once the patient is asleep, Dr Nick and his dental assistant will provide the dental treatments. When the patient wakes, the hospital staff take care of them during recovery.
Our patients are typically admitted to the hospital for a day stay unless they need additional support for medical conditions.
Treatments offered at the hospital include
- Minor oral surgery, including multiple extractions or the removal of wisdom teeth
- Treatment of children, especially if they need several extractions
- General dental treatments, including fillings.
- The placement of dental implants
- The opportunity to have many or lengthy procedures done in a single appointment.
All forms of sedation dentistry carry risks. These will be explained to you so you can decide how you wish to proceed.
How to request sedation for your dental treatment
The first step is to contact us to make an appointment. You can do this by
- calling us on (07) 4313 1777 during business hours
- requesting an appointment online
- dropping by in person at Suite 10 Madsen Medical, 17 Hershel Court, Hervey Bay 4655
New patients are always welcome.
If you are new to our practice, welcome!
If you’re interested in dental sedation, the first step is to meet our dentist, Dr Nick White, for a comprehensive exam (check-up). This 30-minute appointment gives you an opportunity to tell Dr Nick about your dental concerns. He’ll ask about your medical and dental history and then examine your teeth and gums.
If you want sleep dentistry, Dr Nick will explain the options and give you the opportunity to ask questions. If you want to go ahead with treatment, we’ll make the appropriate appointment.
We’re here to help all anxious patients receive the dental care they need.
We invite you to contact our friendly staff if you have dental problems and dental anxiety.
Making an appointment at White Dental Co. is easy!
Call us (07) 4313 1777 during business hours or book online.
Or drop by to make a time at Suite 10 Madsen Medical, 17 Hershel Court, Hervey Bay 4655
