Oral sedation

[Nervouspatient1]

Is a dentist who is isn’t trained in sedation able to give you diazepam or similar to take the edge of having treatment in the UK? Really don’t want sedation but it would be nice to be a bit more relaxed !

 

[Gordon]

Yes.

 

[Nervouspatient1]

@Gordon thanks for letting me know much appreciated

 

[letsconnect]

Apparently, it has become more difficult for dentists in England to prescribe oral sedatives, @drhirst wrote a post about this a couple of years ago:

sedation options in UK

I'm from the US and don't understand my options for sedation in the UK. I think I may need a filling or root canal. So many questions: is it possible to private pay for sedation but get the treatment covered under NHS? Can my NHS dentist prescribe me an oral sedative? How long is the wait likely...

www.dentalfearcentral.org

If you're just looking for a minimal dose as a premedication, it should be possible though (I would have thought) . Let us know what they say!

There's some more information on premedication and oral sedation here:

Premedication and Oral Sedation

Find out how anti-anxiety medication and natural alternatives can help if you are scared of dental treatment, and what drugs are best for calming your nerves.

www.dentalfearcentral.org

 

[drhirst]

The current situaiton is that any dentist can give a very low dose if it is classified as premedication. Once the dose is high enough to be classified as sedation, then it can only be prescribed by a dentist who is fully trained and experienced in intravenous sedation. The regulations regarding this changed a few years back.
This has put off a lot of non-sedation trained dentists, which is the majority of dentists, from even prescribing premed levels.
Once again, an example of over regulation making things more difficult and expensive of uk patients.