Transmucosal Sedation, East Grinstead

The method of dental treatment planned for the patient in your care will be discussed with you at a separate assessment appointment.

The dental treatment will take place at second and subsequent appointments. In exceptional circumstances, treatment may be carried out on the same day as assessment. 

It is important that the dentist knows of any recent changes in the patient’s medical history and of any medicines being taken.

If you think the patient may be pregnant or breastfeeding, you need to let the dentist know. The patient may need to come back to have the treatment at another time.

Before the treatment is started, the dentist will need to take a full medical history and, if necessary, contact the patient’s general medical practitioner or specialist. The patient will need to have their blood pressure taken with a cuff on their arm and the level of oxygen in their blood measured with a clip on their finger.

The patient will remain conscious during the sedation but may experience some temporary loss of memory during the time that he or she is sedated. Many patients have no memory of the procedure at all.

Patients may feel unsteady on their feet for some hours after the procedure. They may be affected for the rest of the day. They may experience some forgetfulness.

The patient will be monitored by the dentist and the dental team during the procedure. This will include measurements of blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels at regular intervals.

Once the patient is sedated, and feels drowsy and relaxed, the dentist can use local analgesia (pain relief that numbs the site of the dental treatment). Local anaesthetic as a paste is sometimes used to numb the site of the treatment.

Any injections that the patient may need can then be given through this numbed area to reduce the chance of any discomfort.

The patient will spend some time in the recovery area following the treatment. He or she will be checked by the dentist or the person giving the sedation and will not be allowed to go home until alert and responsive.

The patient will need to be accompanied home by an able-bodied adult who can take responsibility for him or her for the rest of the day. Escorts should not bring other children with them on the day of the treatment.

Children may not return to school and should not participate in active sports for the rest of the day. You may wish to make plans about how best to travel home with the patient following treatment.

All patients need to be supervised by a responsible adult for the remainder of the day. The parent/carer may need to make arrangements for the care of other children or elderly dependent relatives during this time.

Adult patients should be aware that their judgement may be affected and care should be taken for the next 24 hours if the patient is using the internet for personal communication. They are advised not to drive, ride a bicycle or operate machinery until the following day or, in some cases, for 24 hours.

You will be given information relating to any local anaesthetic or treatment that the patient has received. The dental team will give you advice about any medicines the patient will need while recovering from the treatment. You will be given a telephone number of who to contact if you have any concerns.

Transmucosal sedation reduces anxiety and fear of dental treatment. This is particularly helpful if the patient is having a long, uncomfortable or more complicated procedure.

It is a widely used technique but, as with the administration of any medicines, there are risks associated with intranasal sedation. These risks include:

A reduction of oxygen in the blood stream due to poor breathing during sedation. You may be asked by your dentist / sedationist to take deep breaths to correct this. Your breathing and oxygen levels will be monitored throughout the procedure.

Bruising at the site of the cannula. This may take several days to fade completely.

Very rare risks include allergic reactions to the sedative drugs that you have been given or vomiting during the procedure. Your dentist / sedationist will discuss any concerns that you may have prior to the procedure taking place.