can nhs dentists knock you out these days

[pumpa]

i am too scared to go. paralysed with fear in fact. there is no way unless i was in agony i would go but i know i need to. its not the pain im scared of, dont want to go into it really, and i dont need a lecture on i should go more often, im well aware of that! i just want to know if dentists can still put you to sleep for minor dentist work, thanks.

[Emmy]

Not sure, but I have diazapam on prescription which allows me to get through the door....doesn't stop the pain factor but you don't get the butterflies in your tummy....or heatbeating in your ears,.
Emmy

[pumpa]

forgot to mention valium et al dont do anything for me, i need to be asleep! lol

[impy78]

I think they can if you request it, although most of them use local anasthetic for safety reasons.

[Emmy]

be interesting as I have always (well in the last few years) been advised it's a no :D

[Toothsmith]

General Anaesthetics have not been allowed in General dental Practice for several years now. It has to be done in hospitals.

[Katinkka]

I think if you ask to be sedated in private dentist its about £100. So I cant see the NHS doing that for free since they dont offer much else.

I used to be terrified of the dentist. Then he retired and a young woman took over. She is brilliant and im no longer scared. She never hurts me. I think she must just give me the maximum local anasthetic to start with and then there isnt any pain at all. I still dont like it, but I dont lose sleep anyjmore.

[shelly]

I totally know how you feel pumpa. I have to be sedated too and my private dentist does this for me. Last time I went it was about £45-£50 just for the sedative injection then treatment is extra on top. He's based in March Cambridgeshire. I don't know where you are but if March is near enough to you PM me and I'll gladly pass on his details. Its so worth the money. When I used to go I'd cry before I even got into the room :o even now I'm not so bad but he has to cover up the tray of instruments he uses as I can't bear to see them.


HTH

[pumpa]

toothsmith im presuming it has to be paid for privately then...i read in a magazine recently this same question was asked and the doctor in the magazine said some nhs dentists still provide this service. now im confused. i have no money to pay for private, i guess thats it then.

[cymro1170]

I have a fairly large hole in one of my teeth, and it did hurt like hell - used Anbesol and Bonjela to get rid of the pain - the hole is still there but it doesn't hurt anymore

Trying to loosen the bugg€r but it's not shifting - it's one of the back ones - any tips?

[Teerah]

IV sedation is carried out in some NHS practices but you will need to contact the practice beforehand by telephone to see if they do. IV sedation does not "knock you out" though. If you are referring to general anaesthetics which can only be carried out in the hospital setting nowadays, these are generally only for wisdom tooth removal and oral surgery. Restorative work is only carried out under GA if the patient is classed as special needs.

[Teerah]

I have a fairly large hole in one of my teeth, and it did hurt like hell - used Anbesol and Bonjela to get rid of the pain - the hole is still there but it doesn't hurt anymore

Trying to loosen the bugg€r but it's not shifting - it's one of the back ones - any tips?

I would say go see a dentist but dont want a slap :p

[cymro1170]

I would say go see a dentist but dont want a slap :p

I refuse point blank to go to the dentist - bloody butcher!
Now I can't go near them

[Toothsmith]

toothsmith im presuming it has to be paid for privately then...i read in a magazine recently this same question was asked and the doctor in the magazine said some nhs dentists still provide this service. now im confused. i have no money to pay for private, i guess thats it then.

You are very unlikely to get put to sleep for ordinary dental work.
The risks are too great and in these days of litigation, no-one would take the risk - privately or NHS.

Your best bet is to look for a practice which specialises in treating nervous patients. You will be unlikely to be seen on the NHS though.

[Toothsmith]

I refuse point blank to go to the dentist - bloody butcher!
Now I can't go near them


Come on - be a big brave boy - You'll get a sticker if you're good!

[cymro1170]

Come on - be a big brave boy - You'll get a sticker if you're good!

More likely the dentist will get a black eye :rotfl:

Can't do it

[Sofa_Sogood]

forgot to mention valium et al dont do anything for me, i need to be asleep! lol

It doesn't do anything for me either, because I'm already taking it ;)

Do as Toothsmith suggested and find a dentist that understands your fears. I'm more scared of doctors than dentists nowadays :)

I was offered what Teerah suggested I think, like something that doesn't knock you out but leaves you too relaxed to care. Just the thought of climbing the stairs to get there scared me, but there's nothing like the pain of toothache to make you beg any dentist to take a tooth out, or whatever, to get you to a dentist, and the end result - no pain, imho :)

Good luck ...

[whatamess]

Dentists scare the pants off me. :o Would rather give birth. :eek:
When I take the youngest they let me sit in a different room.
Must be the colour I go (white with a hint of green) :rotfl:
Messy

[pumpa]

what sedative is it by the way?

[pumpa]

oh and general only for special needs..do you mean just for disabled people? (what is classified as special needs, obviously being scared isnt, im not saying that!) just to clarify really.

[shelly]

what sedative is it by the way?


I have no idea what sedative it is all I know is its excellent. He injects it into my arm (where you usually have blood taken from) and in about 5 seconds I'm away with the fairies! :D I usually chat while I'm semi-conscious....apparently. Afterwards hubby takes me home and I usually go straight to bed and sleep for a few hours.

[rharper83]

Come on - be a big brave boy - You'll get a sticker if you're good!

Maaaann.... my dentist never gives me a sticker, and I'm *always* good! :)

[Al Mac]

I'm with the Welsh fella, scares me big time, I had a chocking fit once, now nobody puts things in my mouth.Knock out for me, if I ever go again. My last dentist was great, for a while, then my bottle went:o

[Teerah]

oh and general only for special needs..do you mean just for disabled people? (what is classified as special needs, obviously being scared isnt, im not saying that!) just to clarify really.


Yes, I mean those with certain disabilities who are usually treated only in the community or hospital dental setting. Im afraid extreme dental anxiety does not qualify

[loopy_lass]

well..... er, im TOTALLY freaked by dentist, have memoirs of mother, dentist & nurse draggin me into room and pinning me down whilst they put some big black mask over my face... aged about 7 i think.

now even goin for a check up takes max valium for a week before thats if i dont cancel appointment, once in i shake, shiver, vomit, toilet, panic, hyperventilate, hallucinate.... even on valuim....


wot a carry on... any suggestions?

loops

[lolly5648]

I always have sedation at the dentist. It is wonderful but expensive. I have an injection in my arm, count down from 10, rarely get past 6, and then wake up when I am led into the waiting room. I go home to bed for a couple of hours and then I'm fine.

I am told I chat away whilst under sedation but have no memory of it. I first started having this around 20 years ago at Guys Dental Hospital where I was referred because I kept bursting into tears as soon as the dentist told me to open my mouth. In those days whatever they injected used to make me quite 'high' and I used to dance around whilst waiting for the tube home. Now its just a sedative.

Its worth while ringing round dentists to see who does sedation because the price varies but I try to get everything done in the one appointment.

[sinizterguy]

General anaesthetic cannot be used - thats where they put you to sleep.

But they can use sedation - using either nitrous oxide gas or intravenous drugs in certain specialised surgeries to treat anxious patients. During the treatment you are still conscious but you will not be as anxious as when you are fully awake. And you wont remembers most of it once it has been done.