Patient Finance

NHS Sedation for children under 12 is changing.

Due to a change in NHS commissioning Guidelines - for NHS treatment - if your child’s appointment falls after 31st December 2019 we will be obliged to carry out any treatment under Inhalation Sedation only.

‘Magic Wind’ inhalational sedation uses Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen. Mothers may have experienced this during child birth; it makes one feel floaty and relaxed but not in the same way as ‘Intravenous’ sedation (where powerful sedation drugs are introduced via the back of the hand or arm). We will need to see you and your child for a separate preassessment appointment. If at assessment it is clear that inhalational sedation is not going to be practical due to age, anxiety or extent of treatment, the options are then for us to refer your child on for treatment to hospital or community dental unit as dictated by the NHS referral system- or you can ask your dentist to refer you for treatment using intravenous sedation on an independent basis.

The withdrawal of intravenous sedation techniques under NHS contract for children has been imposed by NHSEngland and not something we have had any say over. We would however like to apologise for any further delays and disruption this may cause.