We recognise that most patients suffer from a dental phobia.
The Sedation Techniques we offer
The team at Abercorn are vastly experienced and qualified in dental sedation and anxiety techniques.
Myth
The dentist does not have time for people who are nervous like me and who need a lot of encouragement and support whist having treatment.
ABERCORN Fact
At Abercorn we are specially trained to support and work with patients who are obviously nervous about undergoing treatment and will have done so on numerous occasions. There is no need to think that you are making are job harder than it needs to be as this is in fact part of our job, and we are here to make sure you feel comfortable and happy with your treatment.
Dental treatment does not have to be painful or difficult, we will simply show you.
Abercorn Dental Care are National Award Winners with the accolade from The Oral Health Awards 2020, The Private Dentistry Awards 2021 and The Irish Dentistry Awards 2022.
“Best Care of Nervous Patients UK”
“Best Treatment of Nervous Patients North”
“Best Treatment of Nervous Patients Ireland”
Dr Andy Davies is a Dental Phobia Certified dentist– view profile
At Abercorn we recognise how we approach treatment with our patients is just as important as our very high level of technical ability for a great overall patient experience. We have adapted and perfected our employment of sophisticated behavioural management techniques for this to be true. We listen to how you feel, give you the talking points and the opportunity to discuss treatment and fears to start in building our very strong and renowned patient-practice relationship.
All our team at Abercorn are vastly experienced and qualified in dental sedation and anxiety techniques. Our director Dr Andy holds the postgraduate diploma from the prestigious Newcastle university in dental conscious sedation and anxiety management and our dental nurses Christine and Lynne hold the prestigious national examination board for dental nurses certificate in conscious sedation for dental nursing.
UPDATE – DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC OUR IV SEDATION SERVICE IS ON HOLD AND WE HOPE FOR THIS TO BE OPERATING BY SEPTEMBER 2023
How to overcome your fear of the dentist
We have a number of options alongside sedation, to help you overcome your dental fear including:
- Pain-free injections
- Relaxation techniques
- Making sure that teeth are completely free of feeling before starting treatment
- Desensitisation to the noise of the drill (behaviour modification)
- Techniques for distraction, such as bringing your own music or e-books
- Strategies to help with the negative conversations you have with yourself that can cause anxiety to worsen
- Specialist referrals for hypnotherapy treatment by a clinical psychologist if indicated
- A tour of the practice before you commit to treatment, to put you at ease and meet the team
Sedation techniques we offer
This is nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas” “happy gas” administered to you via a nose piece and breathing in. Nitrous oxide does not put you to sleep and is effective at reducing your anxiety about any dental procedure. It is very safe for children and adults. Local injections of anaesthesia, which are still used in combination with nitrous oxide, now see consistent effectiveness, and some are practically painless.
Intravenous (IV) sedation is another method of anti-anxiety where a sedative is directly injected to your vein via a cannula. This technique allows us to provide a deeper sedation, although you will still be awake, you will be less aware of the procedure. The process requires an in depth medical assessment at an appointment before treatment. You will also need to be in the company of an escort. There is recovery time after you leave us but you will be provided with all information that you will need by us. We accept referrals for this service from across the province.
