IV Sedation for Anxious Patients
Relieve Your Anxiety - Get the Treatment You Need
It’s incredibly normal for patients to feel anxious about going to the dentist. Lying back on a dentist’s chair is enough to make most people feel vulnerable. If you’re worried about being uncomfortable or worst still, in pain, then you’re not alone. Lots of people have a fear of the dentist, and for some it’s so bad that it prevents them from seeking the treatment they need.
The good news is that you shouldn’t have to live with damaged teeth and gums due to anxiety. At Ambience Dental, our priority is ensuring you are as comfortable as possible whenever you visit us. Whether you need a routine appointment or a complex procedure, we have the people, technology and facilities to put you at ease from the moment you step through the door.
Simple Ways to Reduce Anxiety
The best way for us to be able to help you with your anxiety is if you tell us about it. Once we understand what makes you feel uncomfortable, we will be able to adapt the treatment to ease your concerns. There are several things we can do that might help:
That’s right, if you’re worried about coming to the dentist, don’t make your first visit for a complex procedure. Book an appointment for a chat first, you can get to know the clinic, we can get to know you, and we can discuss what makes you nervous.
It might help you if we explain the procedure to you and all the tools we’ll use before we get started. We can also make sure we tell you what we’re doing at every step of the way too, so you’re never unsure what’s going on.
Even during your procedure, we’ll make sure we’re listening. We can establish hand signals so that you can let us know if you need a break. By feeling able to communicate throughout, you’ll feel more in control of the procedure.
Not every patient wants to hear a blow by blow account of what is happening. If you prefer to be distracted, we can put a television near the chair for you to watch or tune in to your favourite music.
How Anaesthesia
Can Alleviate Anxiety
There really is no need to feel uncomfortable in the dentist’s chair or to feel pain during dental procedures. At our Wollongong dental practice, we offer various types of anaesthesia that can help alleviate the stress and anxiety of a trip to the dentist:
IV Sedation
Also known as sleep dentistry, the anaesthesia puts you in a dream-like state during your treatment. You will still be conscious, but you’ll have very little or no recollection of your dental procedure.
General Anaesthetic
If you’d prefer to be completely sedated, we’re able to perform your treatment at the Wollongong Day Surgery, Wollongong private hospital, or Shell-Harbour private hospital.
Laughing Gas
Even if you’re having a smaller procedure, if you are feeling anxious you will be relieved to know that we use laughing gas, piped into all our dental surgeries.
Why Choose IV Sedation?
When it comes to putting you at ease, the type of anaesthesia we use really is your choice. That said, there are a few benefits to using IV sedation over general anaesthetic.With IV sedation, you can stay at our practice, in an environment that you know, rather than having to go to hospital.
Why Choose IV Sedation?
When it comes to putting you at ease, the type of anaesthesia we use really is your choice. That said, there are a few benefits to using IV sedation over general anaesthetic:
Have Your Treatment At Our Practice
With IV sedation, you can stay at our practice, in an environment that you know, rather than having to go to hospital.
Save Money
If you choose to have a general anaesthetic in hospital, your treatment cost will include a proportion of their extensive resources and facilities.
Recover After
It takes longer to recover from general anaesthetic, meaning you’ll be in hospital for longer to recuperate. IV sedation, on the other hand, has a relatively quick recovery period so you can be back home as soon as possible.
Our qualified team
Our sedation team includes a registered specialist anaesthetist and a skilled dental nurse, both experienced in supporting patients through dental treatment. Get to know the people caring for you.
Jillian Surjak
Jillian Surjak is an endorsed enrolled nurse with 18 years of experience, specialising in sedation for the past 10 years. She studied and worked at St George Hospital and Wollongong Day Surgery and has spent the last 5 years working full-time for IMAT. Having raised three adult children, Jillian is efficient and organised, balancing a demanding career with a rich personal life. She arranges short weekend trips with her husband and family that include relaxing beach holidays, cultural excursions, and holidays abroad. She also enjoys spending time with friends and loves living on the Illawarra Coast.
Dr Bernie Negus
Dr Bernie Negus has been working as a specialist anaesthetist in the Illawarra for 29 years. In the last 6 years he has also been providing sedations at Ambience Dental for small and large procedures. Over 2,000 sedations have been completed with high patient satisfaction, safety and ideal conditions for complex surgery. Medical and psychological conditions are managed professionally and carefully. If in doubt, ask reception to organise a telephone consultation to discuss your concern
IV sedation can be used for anyone with anxiety but is also an option if you have a low pain threshold, extreme sensitivity or struggle with sitting still during dental treatment.
Our IV Sedation Dentistry Facility
At Ambience Dental, we’re committed to putting our patients at ease, which is why we have an entire wing dedicated to sedation dentistry in our Fairy Meadow practice. When you come into our modern dental practice, you’ll be shown through to the procedure room in our sedation facility. Our specialist anaesthetist will be present throughout the treatment to ensure your comfort and safety is a top priority. While the anaesthetist and your dentist focus on the job at hand, you’ll drift off into deep relaxation. Then, after your treatment, you’ll have time and space to recover in our sedation recovery room, and chances are you won’t remember a thing.
Why Choose Ambience Dental
We’re committed to your comfort and safety at all times. While dentists can take short courses in IV sedation, many aren’t fully qualified. With our experienced anaesthetist on hand in our dedicated facility, you can feel free to relax. We’ve carried out hundreds of procedures using IV sedation, and yours will be no different.
If you want to make anxiety a thing of the past, call us today at our Fairy Meadow dental practice on (02) 4283 3357 to find out more about IV sedation.
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