1. Fear of pain.

The fear of pain is generally due to patient’s previous experiences before many of the recent advances in ‘pain free’ dentistry. Modern dentistry should not be painful!

2. Previous negative experiences.

Anyone who has had a traumatic dental experience in the past is more likely to be more anxious the next time around. However, it has been suggested that use of the term dental phobia should not be used for these people as their fears are natural and instead these patients resemble people with post-traumatic stress disorder due to their previous dental experiences.

3. Helplessness and perceived lack of control.

If a person believes that they have no means of influencing a negative event, they will experience helplessness. Research has shown that a perception of lack of control leads to fear, this is a perfectly normal feeling. The opposite belief, that one does have control, can lessen fear. For example, the belief that the dentist will stop when the patient gives a stop signal such as raising their hand lessens the fear. Helplessness and lack of control may also result from direct experiences, for example an incident where a dentist wouldn’t stop even when the person was in obvious pain!

The manner of the dentist is also important as if a patient feels they are ‘cold’ or ‘uninterested’ this may also increase the patient’s fear.

4. Embarrassment.

The mouth is an intimate part of the body. People may feel ashamed or embarrassed to have a stranger looking inside. This may be a problem if they’re self-conscious about how their teeth look. Dental treatments also require physical closeness. During a treatment, the hygienists or dentist may be just a few inches away. This can make some people anxious and uncomfortable.

5. Non-dental experience.

Dental fear may develop because of a previous traumatic experience in a non-dental context. For example, bad experiences with doctors or hospital environments may lead people to fear white coats and antiseptic smell, which is one reason why dentist nowadays often choose to wear less ‘threatening ‘apparel. People who have been sexually, physically or emotionally abused may also find the dental situation threatening.

6. Indirect experiences.

Dental anxiety may develop as people hear about other’s traumatic experiences or negative views of dentistry. Finally, the negative portrayal of dentistry in movies and even cartons can help foster an underlying anxiety of dentistry.

People with dental phobia have a higher risk of gum disease, bad breath and early tooth loss. Avoiding the dentist may have an emotional cost as well. Discoloured or damaged teeth can make people self-conscious and insecure. They may smile less or keep their mouth partly closed when they speak. Some people can become so embarrassed about how their teeth look that personal and professional lives begin to suffer. There is often a serious loss of self-esteem. Our experiences at Sullivan dental is when patients complete their treatment under sedation, they feel so much better about finally ‘sorting ‘out their mouth. They really enjoy a healthy happy smile.

If you, or someone you know is very nervous about undergoing dental treatment then you would benefit greatly from having treatment carried out under intravenous sedation.

This involves drugs that will make you calm and deeply relaxed, and unaware of the sights, smells and sounds of the surgery. This combination of sedative and pain-relieving drugs creates a more relaxed environment before and during treatment. This is a safe, effective and less costly alternative to general anaesthetic.

After IV sedation treatment, you will not be able to return to work, drive and you will require an escort for the next 12 hours following treatment.

Who is suitable?

Everyone who is fit and healthy can have sedation, however sedation is particularly helpful for patients with a strong fear or phobia of the dentistry, patients who have had a traumatic or negative experience in the past, patients with a strong gag reflex or patients with long and complicated treatment procedure, such as dental implants.

Cost of IV Sedation?

The cost of sedation is €160. This charge is separate to the charges associated with the dental treatment undertaken.

Who carries out the sedation?

John is specially trained to carry out dental sedation as he has completed a postgraduate diploma in Conscious Sedation in Dentistry in 2015 in Trinity College. This was in addition his previous training in sedation in Guy’s hospital London.

John is a member of the international society of dental anxiety management, Irish society of conscious sedation in dentistry society for the advancement of anaesthesia in dentistry and also a member of the Irish Dental Association.