Reaction to local anaesthetic at dentist?

[coffeeandcakeage]

Any dentists around, or anyone who's had a similar experience...?

9yo DS needs a tooth extraction. We have an NHS dentist who, to be polite, is the reason people have dental phobias. I appreciate NHS dentists are like gold-dust, and he's the only one at the practice we are registered at.

So...

First appointment for the extraction, DS had the local anaesthetic injection and whilst we were in the waiting room he complained of feeling dizzy. Within seconds he went completely pale and his eyes were rolling back in his head - I shouted for help and the nurse brought some glucose water, which seemed to help stabilise him and he was steady enough on his feet to get him home (although a bit washed out for the rest of the day).

I spoke to the clinic the next morning and they said it was likely a reaction to the adrenaline in the anaesthetic. They updated his notes and in future an injection with adrenaline would be given.

We arranged another appointment for this afternoon (1 week later). Double checked with the dentist that his notes said he needed an injection without anaesthetic. All good. However, exactly the same thing happened again.

He wasn't anxious or worried about the extraction (in fact, he was happy about finally getting rid of the troublesome tooth). Dentist has said the only option is to refer him to the local hospital for removal under general anaesthetic, which I'm not super-keen on.

So, I guess my question is this.... is it possible the dentist has somehow given too much anaesthetic, perhaps a time-pressure thing? Rather than giving the dose gradually, he just injected as much as possible, causing system overload? I'm hovering whether to ask for an official investigation; my son is taking it in his stride, but I'm actually really shaken.

I also want to know whether it's worth seeing a private dentist who may not have the same time constraints and will be a bit more gentle??

I've had a few anaesthetics both local and general and either during or after I've reacted by going into shock, shaking and getting very tearful even if I'm not feeling upset.
It may just be how his body reacts to something within the mix and getting a referral to the hospital sounds like a good idea as they will be able to monitor and control his reaction better.

This happens to me! Horrible experiences. I learned later that dental anaesthesia contains adrenaline because it constricts blood vessels and therefore reduces bleeding. However, it is possible to use an anaesthetic that doesn't contain adrenaline - I would be pushing for this.

Sounds very much like a vasovagal episode.
Was he in the waiting room both times?
If your dentist keeps him supine in the chair throughout it won’t happen.

... or he may just have a burgeoning allergy to anaesthesia in general. Both my mother and my son have allergies to both local/generals and I react badly to one particular local given at the dentists (I have to keep reminding them if I need treatment, despite it supposedly being in my notes). When my son was younger (he's 17 now), he had dental treatment without any injections - but we attend a practice set up by a dentist who specialises in people with this reaction/allergy. Which is fortunate as my mother's reaction is severe and my son's is certainly looking as though it's going to be very similar, if not the same

If I were you, @coffeeandcakeage - and I have been - I'd be happier with the tooth coming out at the hospital where they can have a full team on standby just in case/your son will be in the best place if something were to happen. I'd also push for further tests to determine precisely what it is that he's reacting to. Because regardless of dental treatment, you do need to know (my son can only tolerate one brand of sore throat "sweets", for example, due to their active ingredients, whilst my mother can't tolerate any - and neither can use Germolene or touch anyone who's used it for hours afterwards, without becoming seriously unwell).

He’s fainted. Fairly common after a local. Plenty to eat before the appt, and yes ask the dentist to keep him supine. A general anaesthetic carries a huge risk, that isvery rare, but if he can cope with a local - go with that!