How do I find a dentist in the UK (South East) that does gas and air?

[Farm8031]

I know gas and air works for me but can't find anyone who will treat me using it

 

[Enarete]

Hi Farm8031, my first idea would be to google and check the practices in your area. You may be able to see on their website whether they offer gas or not. Googling dentists for nervous patients specifically may help as well, as many dentists with special interest in treating nervous patients offer gas. If this information is not on their website, an email or a call may help.

When you say you can't find anyone who will treat you using it, do you mean that the practices you contacted do not take new patients or they do and have air, but saw a problem in using it for your treatment?

 

[Farm8031]

Thanks Enarete

I have Googled. Most do IV sedation. I do not want this. I have only found one within 50 miles of me that does air and gas. I would have to be referred to them and they insist I would have to be collected by a responsible adult. This is ridiculous. As soon as one stops breathing in the air and gas it ceases to have have an effect. Previously I just walked around for 20 minutes before driving home. I know air and gas works for me and that is what I'm trying to find. I do not want to be given IV sedation or to be reliant on one someone else collecting me when it isn't necessary. I may have to travel to London - although I'd rather not. That is why I posted here - to try to find gas and air in Sussex/Surrey/West Kent

 

[letsconnect]

Hi Farm8031, you could email the distributors of inhalation sedation equipment in the UK, for example Ai Health Care or RA Medical and ask who is offering nitrous oxide sedation in your area.

Which search terms did you use? The reason I'm asking is that gas and air refers to Entonox (50% nitrous, 50% oxygen), which is not what dentists normally use. "Inhalation sedation", "nitrous oxide" and occasionally "happy air" would be more commonly used on dental websites.

Of course, just because a dentist offers nitrous oxide doesn't necessarily mean they're the right person for you. We've got some pages here with tips for finding the right dentist:

How to find a dentist for nervous patients

Discover how to find a dentist who is good with nervous, scared or phobic patients - and who to avoid!

www.dentalfearcentral.org

How to find a high-quality dentist

How do you know if a dentist really cares about the quality of their work? Here is what to look for and expect from a high-quality dentist.

www.dentalfearcentral.org

If you can't find anyone, I could also ask on a Facebook group for dentists for recommendations?

 

[Farm8031]

Thank you. This is really helpful.

I'll try these websites, with correct terminology and good idea re suppliers

 

[letsconnect]

Good luck! Let us know if you need any further help with finding someone!

 

[Farm8031]

I have now found 3 practices who do this. One insists that you are collected afterwards. This is what I'm trying to avoid. As the effects wear off very quickly I want to wait 20 mins then drive as I always used to. I really don't want to be dependent on getting someone to come with me.
The other two are both not doing it at present (Covid) but hope to start again in September. It sounds as if they use someone who comes in just to do sedation.
The question is how low long before I get toothache? I'm going to wait as long as I can then if it's bad I'll have to have IV after all.

Anyway, hopefully I'll get something in place for the future. Thanks for help.

 

[JamieAnn]

Hello,
I realise that this is an old post, but I am in the exact same situation of needing to find a provider of nitrous oxide in East Sussex. I was wondering if anyone knew of such a practice in this area?
Thank you.

 

[Farm8031]

@JamieAnn Hi

The only place I found doing gas and air is St Faiths in East Grinstead. But you have to be collected and I didn't like the dentist, who seems to think he can bully nervous patients into being treated without sedation. So I haven't been back.

The workable solution I have settled for is a dentist I trust who will get a sedationist in to adminster IV sedation. It means I can be treated without any problem or any nasty memories. You have to be collected and it is an extra expense - but I know of no better alternative.
Good luck and do post if you find a good solution.

 

[JamieAnn]

Thank you ... I will have a look at St Faiths. I have previously had a bad experience with IV sedation and am very reluctant to continue with that as an option as it seems to leave me too aware to be relaxed but insufficiently aware to be able to manage the situation - the result being (for me) very frightening. I was hoping for an 'easier' solution that I could perhaps work more co-operatively with. I will search a bit further.