Sedation & Special Care Dentistry
Sedation is when drugs are used to make you feel less anxious and more relaxed. It will make you, less aware of dental surgery with no memory of the procedure at all. But it does not make you unconscious.
Sedative drugs (medicines) can be given:
• By injection into a vein in your hand or arm (intravenous)
Intravenous Sedation
• By spraying a medicine into the nose (intranasal)
Intranasal Sedation
You must be over the age of 12 years and will be asked to arrange for someone to drive you home after the appointment, it is essential that this person is available. If you do not have an escort, you will not be able to have your procedure under sedation.
You may experience a temporary loss of memory during the time that you are sedated. Many patients have no memory of any dental discomfort/pain during the procedure at all. Before you are discharged, the dentist or dental nurse will give you and the adult accompanying you (escort) important information about your care.
Special Care Dentistry
Special Care Dentistry is a specialty which involves the improvement of oral health of individuals over the age of 12 years who have a physical, sensory, intellectual, mental, medical, emotional or social impairment or disability or, more often, a combination of a number of these factors, for example, Down syndrome, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Bleeding Disorders, Dementia, Cerebral Palsy and amongst others.
Domiciliary Dentistry (Dental Treatment at Home)
Domiciliary dentistry can be described as a service that reaches out to care for those who cannot reach dental clinics themselves due to disability. Domiciliary care is intended to include oral health care and dental treatment carried out in patient’s own homes. Domiciliary care includes scaling and polishing, fillings, simple extractions and partial denture provision.
Dental Treatment at Patient’s Home