General I   Sedation I   Extractions I   Cosmetic I   Paediatric I   Oral Hygiene I   Periodontics I   Endodontics   Sedation Providing dental treatment dental treatment under sedation is a very specialised service involving a number of exceptional skills.   The dental sedation team on hand to conduct your treatment include: The Dental Surgeon – is the one who is experienced in what is the best treatment to do under conscious sedation. The Sedationist – is a doctor trained specially in the field of safe conscious sedation. The Dental Nurse is an experienced and qualified assistant who will assist the dental surgeon The Sedationist Assistant is experienced in assisting the sedationist. The Recovery Nurse is the person who is experienced in looking after patients who have just had conscious sedation.     Unlike general anaesthesia where a patient is completely asleep, patients under conscious sedation are able to respond to commands. It is common for many patients to feel nervous or anxious about their dental procedures. Conscious sedation is very safe and effective.   There are 3 Main ways that sedation is administered: 1. Oral Sedation is administered by taking a pill. All body functions remain normal and the person is able to breathe on their own. The patient will often fall asleep.   Advantages Disadvantages It is easy to take (small pill) It is safe and easy to monitor It is effective & inexpensive It is not easy to change the level of sedation It is not safe to drive a vehicle before or after There is no pain relief effect   2. Inhalation Conscious Sedation, Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Sedation. This is the most frequently used sedation method used in dentistry. All bodily functions remain normal and the person is able to breath on their own.   Advantages Disadvantages It works well for most cases of anxiety It works quickly & people quickly recover It is easy to change the level of sedation It is safe to drive a vehicle before or after sedation There are few side effects There is a pain relief effect Deeper level of sedation maybe required for severe anxiety Not appropriate for people who have breathing conditions   3. IV Sedation is usually used by Oral Surgeons. Drugs are administered directly into the blood stream. The greatest advantage of IV Sedation is that the doctor can administer more drugs if someone is not sedated enough.