Dental Sedation & Dental Phobia | Old Street, City Road & Enfield

Calm, Supportive Dental Care for Nervous Patients

Feeling anxious about visiting the dentist is more common than many people realise, and there is nothing to feel embarrassed about. At Dental Arts Studio, our team takes time to understand what makes you feel uneasy and adapts your care accordingly, including offering dental sedation for patients who feel very anxious about treatment.

At our practices in City Road and Enfield, London, we assess each nervous patient individually to understand whether sedation, or another form of support, is the most suitable way to help you get the care you need.

Feeling Anxious About Dental Treatment?

0207 250 3536 (City Road) | 0208 362 3110 (Enfield)

What Is Dental Sedation?

Dental sedation uses medication to help you feel calm and relaxed during dental treatment. It does not put you to sleep in the way a general anaesthetic would; most patients remain conscious and able to respond, while feeling significantly more relaxed than they otherwise would.

We may offer:

Oral sedation — a tablet taken before your appointment to help you feel calmer
Intravenous (IV) sedation — medication given through a small injection into a vein, typically producing a deeper level of relaxation

Whether sedation is suitable for you, and which type, depends on your medical history, the treatment you need, and your level of anxiety. Your dentist will discuss this with you and agree on the best approach together.

Who May Benefit from Dental Sedation?

You may want to discuss sedation with our team if you are experiencing:

Significant anxiety or fear about visiting the dentist
A strong gag reflex that makes certain treatments difficult
Difficulty sitting still for longer procedures
Previous difficult experiences with dental treatment
A need for several procedures to be completed together

Not every anxious patient will need or want sedation — many are helped by other approaches, such as a slower pace, clear communication, or simply a more understanding environment. Your dentist will talk through the options with you.

How We Support Nervous Patients

Talking things through

Before any treatment, we take time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and explain each step so there are no surprises.

Flexible appointments

We can offer longer appointments, regular breaks, and an agreed signal you can use at any time if you need us to stop.

Sedation options

For patients who need more support to get through treatment comfortably, oral or IV sedation may be offered, as outlined above.

A calm environment

Our team aims to create a relaxed, non-judgemental setting, whatever the reason for your anxiety.

Before Your Sedation Appointment

Initial consultation

We will discuss your dental concerns, your medical history, and any previous experiences that affect how you feel about treatment. This helps us understand whether sedation is a suitable and safe option for you.

Suitability assessment

Certain medical conditions, medications, or circumstances may mean sedation is not suitable, or that extra precautions are needed. You will need to provide full details of your health and any medication you take so we can advise you properly. If sedation is agreed, you will be given clear written instructions to follow beforehand, such as arranging for someone to accompany you and take you home, and any requirements around eating or drinking before your appointment.

Treatment planning

Your dentist will explain what to expect on the day, how you may feel afterwards, and the estimated cost before your appointment.

What Happens During Sedation

Step 1: Preparation

You will be checked in, and your dentist will confirm you have followed any pre-appointment instructions, such as fasting where required.

Step 2: Administering sedation

Oral sedation is taken as a tablet; IV sedation is given via a small injection, usually into the back of the hand or arm.

Step 3: Monitoring throughout treatment

Your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels are monitored throughout your treatment to help ensure your safety and comfort.

Step 4: Recovery

After treatment, you will be monitored until you are ready to go home. You will not be able to drive, and you will need a responsible adult to accompany you and stay with you for the rest of the day.

Step 5: Follow-up

We will check in on how you got on and discuss anything you’d like to do differently for future appointments.

Benefits of Dental Sedation

For suitable patients, sedation may help:

Reduce feelings of anxiety during dental treatment
Make longer or more involved procedures more manageable
Allow several treatments to be completed in one visit, where appropriate
Support patients who might otherwise delay or avoid necessary dental care

As with any treatment, how sedation is experienced varies between individuals, and your dentist will discuss what to realistically expect based on your circumstances.

Cost of Dental Sedation

The cost of sedation depends on the type used, the length of your appointment, and the treatment being carried out alongside it.

Treatment fees

We provide a written treatment plan with clear costs before any sedation appointment, so you can make an informed decision without pressure.

Payment and finance

Finance options may be available to help spread the cost of treatment — please ask our team for details.

Want to Discuss Your Options?

0207 250 3536 | 0208 362 3110

After Your Sedation Appointment

Following the guidance you’re given helps you recover comfortably and safely.

Arrange for someone to take you home — You must not drive, cycle, or use public transport alone after sedation.
Have a responsible adult stay with you — You will need supervision for the remainder of the day, as advised.
Avoid important decisions or activities — Do not sign legal documents, operate machinery, or drink alcohol for the rest of the day.
Expect to feel drowsy for a few hours — This is normal and should ease over the following hours.
Contact us if you have any concerns — If you feel unwell or have questions after your appointment, get in touch with our team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I suitable for dental sedation?

Suitability depends on your medical history, any medication you take, and the treatment you need. We will discuss this with you in detail at your consultation to confirm whether sedation is appropriate for you.

Will I be unconscious during sedation?

No. Most forms of dental sedation keep you conscious and able to respond, while helping you feel significantly more relaxed. It is different from a general anaesthetic, where you would be fully unconscious.

Is dental sedation safe?

Sedation is a widely used and well-established technique in dentistry. Your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels are monitored throughout treatment, and your dentist will only recommend sedation where they consider it a suitable option for you based on your individual health.

Can I drive home after sedation?

No. You must arrange for someone to take you home and stay with you, as sedation affects your coordination and judgement for several hours afterwards.

How long does it take to recover from sedation?

Most patients feel back to normal within a few hours, though this varies between individuals and the type of sedation used. You should avoid important decisions, alcohol, and operating machinery for the rest of the day.

What if I’m anxious but don’t want sedation?

Sedation is only one way we support nervous patients. Many people are helped by other approaches, such as a slower pace, clear communication throughout treatment, or an agreed signal to pause — your dentist can talk through what might work best for you.

Do I need to be referred for sedation, or can I ask for it directly?

You can simply let our team know about your anxiety when booking or during a consultation, and we will discuss whether sedation, or another form of support, would help.

Ready to Talk About Your Options?

You don’t need to manage dental anxiety alone. Book a consultation with our team to talk through what makes you feel uneasy and find an approach, including sedation if appropriate, that helps you get the care you need. We know it’s not always easy to get to a dentist during the working week, so as well as routine private dentist care, we offer Saturday and late-night appointments in Enfield, and same-day dental appointments for patients from City Road and Old Street, including corporate and lunchtime checkup bookings.

Speak to Our Team