Dental sedation on the nhs

[QuebecBagnet]

My dentist has said I need a tooth extraction and immediately said I wouldn’t manage without sedation so she’ll refer me (I didn’t even ask). But a friend warned me when she got referred for nhs dental sedation when she got there they said she didn’t meet the criteria and declined her. I didn’t realise the second dentist assessed you. Is that normal?

Anyone here got sedation and if so how bad do you have to be?

I am full on crying and shaking just discussing extraction with my dentist. But I’m not sure I’d be so externally upset at the sedation dentist because I’d feel calmer thinking I was going to have sedation.

I had to fill in a form rating my anxiety of dental surgery. No further questions were asked and my pre op appointment was just to look at most recent x ray and inform me of any risks. No one asked me in person about my anxiety other than my usual dentist who referred me for sedation.

However, my dentist did warn me that if I didn't score highly enough on the initial form, I'd be refused for sedation. I just made it REALLY clear how terrified I was when scoring myself.

I’ve had this twice in the last couple of years and you have to be a certain weight to qualify. Your BMI must be below 30.
My dentist wasn’t aware of this, I didn’t find out until I went to the assessment appointment.
I had sedation due to other issues not anxiety.

I’ve had it on the NHS but needed 2 teeth out and 5 fillings and had them all at once. I am petrified of dentists and am involuntary shaking in the chair with fear. There didn’t seem to be much of a question of it. They asked me and I said yes but maybe as I was having more done?

Well my bmi is 32 so that’s me stuffed.

how bad is extraction without sedation

So was mine but the assessment took ages and I just lost enough weight in time!

@QuebecBagnet
I have had extraction with a dentist specialising in people who are nervous/phobias/children/people with special needs.
Not sedated. A different dentist does that.
While it was still hard and I was still nervous and worried (I'm not sure that would ever go away) I had appointments leading up to this with her and she was lovely. She explained everything to me and took it slowly. And it was the best experience that it could have been considering it was the dentist and it was her that made that experience

Although I need a filling now and I don't know whether I can do it. I actually think that's worse

I’m fine with fillings, even root canal. It’s just the thought of tugging which freaks me out. I’d happily have root canal tomorrow without sedation and not be the slightest bit worried. I think it’s fear of the unknown.

In my trust, if you are over the BMI limit they perform it under a general at the hospital

When my dd was 12 she had 3 teeth extracted with out sedation before she could have braces.
She said she couldn't feel anything after the numbing injections was done.

What’s the risk of sedation with a raised bmi? Airway issues? In which case I assume I can’t have it done privately either?

I did have teeth pulled out as a kid without sedation so I do think if I managed it when I was 10yo I should be able to now! 🙈🤷‍♀️

Really bad even then it's nearly a year wait.

I've had wisdom teeth removed without sedation( was due to have sedation but long covid has damaged my heart and lungs) and the dentist wouldn't give me sedation.
I went to the Dental Hospital. It was OK I had stitches and didn't feel anything. I was in and out in 40mins.
I'm no longer scared of dentist.

I had all four wisdom teeth out (at different times) without sedation. I had my last wisdom tooth out a few months ago and it took less than a minute. I didn’t feel anything. You’ll be fine, especially if you managed as a 10 year old.

The dentist attempted to extract teeth from DH, but stopped before he was fully anaesthetised as she didn't feel she could safely continue (there was a high chance DH would bite her). He had them out under a general anaesthetic; they didn't even try sedation, and his BMI is under 30. So hopefully you'll get the sedation (or anaesthetic) you need - this was all NHS.

Root canal is a lot worse than an extraction! They numb the area and push/pull a bit and sometimes you hear a crack depending on what is left of the tooth.

Didn't go to dentist for 15 years due to a bad experience with a wisdom tooth...fainted in chair. After having multiple issues found NHS dentist ...thank god. But needed 5 out. Had them all out in one go. No sedation. Absolutely terrified. Just really glad afterwards. The dentist was really lovely. Anyway no more missed appointments. I have learnt my lesson

I would find a private dental practice that will do this someone will 32 is hardly 52!

I have had NHS sedation twice as I'm phobic following a dentist taking out two teeth that didn't need to be removed... and having an almightly job to get them out (as it turned out I had Trigeminal Neuralgia not dental problems)

I had to wait a year last time! First I was sent to another dentist who assessed me.. then once they had agreed I was shit scared, I was referred on.

Well worth the wait... I don't remember a thing!

But now I have an ancient filling failing and I'm terrified I'll have to wait all over again....

Ive always gone for sedation, not been in the last 3 years due to covid etc, but was never asked my BMI before? Going to private dentist this time and worried they might not do it now !