Intravenous Sedation Dentistry

Patients should be very pleased to know that sedation in dental practice is very carefully regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Authority, (AHPRA) and only approved for use by suitably qualified practitioners in practices that are also approved in terms of the facilities, equipment and staff. At NQ Surgical Dentistry, we provide intravenous sedation dentistry in a safe and effective manner and conform to the regulations and guidelines governing the use of sedation as laid down by the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.  Dr Colin Priestland is endorsed by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA) to provide intravenous sedation in dentistry.

Qualification for providing intravenous sedation

The AHPRA endorsement confirms Dr Priestland has undergone training in the use of intravenous sedation and other techniques for sedation and pain control and in the treatment of medical emergencies.  Endorsement also indicates that he has attended and passed annual training and examination in intravenous sedation and the management of medical emergencies that may be associated with the practice of sedation.

Experience

In addition to satisfying the regulations, Colin has been practicing intravenous sedation since 1986, helping many anxious and phobic patients willingly accept dental and surgical care who would otherwise have required hospital based general anaesthetic treatment.

Colin works with two sedation nurses in the practice; Lauren Camilleri is a clinical intensive care and neonatal intensive care nurse of over 25 years experience and Andrea Steinhardt is an experienced anaesthetic nurse holding a Diploma in Anaesthetics and Resuscitation.  Together they maintain full patient monitoring using a combined Electrocardiograph/Pulse Oximeter/Capnography unit, with regular automated non-invasive blood pressure monitoring throughout the sedation procedure and constant monitoring of the oxygen saturation of the blood.  Such careful monitoring is essential to ensure the safe practice of sedation and to ensure patients are maintained at the ideal level of sedation to achieve the treatment they need without any anxiety or awareness of the procedure.

The facilities, the staff and training

The practice facilities have been assessed, including the equipment, emergency drugs and staff training.  Our facilities and staff are accredited for the provision of in-practice intravenous sedation for the conduct of dental surgery.  Dr Colin Priestland is a member of the Australasian Society of Dental Anaesthesiology and he conforms to their guidelines for practice as determined by the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.

Anxiety is very common 

Many patients present to dentists suffering from a basic level of anxiety that makes it difficult for them to accept treatment without suffering from nervousness, even possibly palpitations and sweating.  Such experience is not pleasant and often contributes to keeping patients away from the dentist until such time as they suffer from severe dental pain, dental infection or other dental disease.  The longer a condition remains untreated, the more severe is the condition and the more extensive is the surgical procedure to treat the problem.

This degree of anxiety is not uncommon but is something that is completely unnecessary today with the availability of intravenous and inhalational sedation.  Patients who would like to receive good quality dental care without any anxiety can contact our practice for a consultation.

What to expect at the first appointment 

At the first appointment there will be no treatment offered; it will be solely a consultation at which there will be an open discussion between the patient and Dr Colin Priestland to define the things that make the dental experience unpleasant for the patient.  Once Colin has a detailed understanding of the patient’s fears, he can explain how he is able to use various techniques to control and eliminate anxiety and make routine dental care or even surgical care acceptable and easy for the patient to accept.  A full explanation will also be given to explain how sedation works and what to expect.  At this initial consultation it is imperative that any medical history of illness, operations or medications taken, is openly discussed with Dr Colin Priestland.

Sedation is not always the answer 

Of course not all dental or surgical care can be provided under sedation for all patients.  It is important to assess a patient’s medical history before making any decision on the best way to manage their care.  Sometimes it may be better to provide some types of treatment under a general anaesthetic as a day case.  This means the patient is rendered completely unconscious in an operating theatre by a specialist consultant anaesthetist and after recovery they must remain in the day surgery unit for 2-3 hours before they are sufficiently recovered to be released to the care of their chosen escort.

Preparation for your sedation appointment

Patients should be aware that they must follow detailed guidelines to ensure their safety while sedated and to allow good patient care and monitoring.

• Patients must not eat any food for 6 hours and must not drink for 6 hours before their sedation.  This is important to avoid a patient vomiting while under sedation.
• Flat footwear must be worn to minimise the possibility of tripping.   Thongs and high heeled shoes must not be worn for the same reason.
• Comfortable, loose clothing should be worn to enable access to the arms easily without restriction of blood flow, therefore loose sleeves are advised.
• A loose warm jumper is sensible as the operating room is kept cool during surgery.
• No nail varnish and no false nails should be worn as this prevents the use of some of the monitoring equipment.
• Patients should not smoke for 24 hours before treatment.
• Patients attending for treatment under sedation must have arranged for an escort to take them home and remain with them for a minimum of 6 hours after sedation.

After sedation

It is best if patients understand that for the remainder of the day and part of the next day they may still be affected by the sedation drugs.  For this reason patients are all informed that they should not perform any of the following tasks:

• drink alcohol or take sedative drugs for 24 hours
• take exercise (running/sport) for 24 hours
• drive any vehicle or ride a bike for 24 hours
• use machinery for 24 hours
• work in a Health and Safety regulated workspace for 24 hours
• make legally binding decisions nor sign legal documents,
• be the sole adult caring for children/minors for 24 hours
• use social media for 24 hours
• smoke for 10 days to avoid post-operative infection.

How NQ Surgical Dentistry can help you with intravenous sedation dentistry

If you suffer from anxiety over dental or surgical treatment and are fearful of the treatment you require, you may wish to discuss the use of sedation to make the experience more pleasant.  You can discuss this with your dentist and ask for a referral to Dr Colin Priestland at NQ Surgical Dentistry for the treatment or if you are a patient who is scared of dental care or the dental practice environment, you may wish to come directly to Dr Colin Priestland and discuss your treatment needs and how you can receive the care you need with the minimum of fuss and free of anxiety.

contact the friendly team at NQ Surgical Dentistry today on (07) 4725 1656 or call in to see us at 183 Kings Rd, Pimlico QLD 4812