Dental treatment for children using inhalation sedation

This leaflet provides information for patients, parents and guardians about inhalation sedation for their child’s dental treatment.

About inhalation sedation

Children may be worried about going to the dentist and having treatment. There are ways we can help your child to feel less nervous or anxious and is safe to use. Inhalation sedation, also known as ‘happy gas’, uses a mixture of the gases oxygen and nitrous oxide which may help your child feel more relaxed. Your child will be awake the whole time during treatment and will be able to talk to you and the dentist. The sedation may help with any worries they may have, so they should be able to cope with treatment more easily.

Can inhalation sedation help with anything else?

Inhalation sedation can help if your child tends to gag during treatment. It can also help to relax them if they are afraid of injections.

What happens when my child is given inhalation sedation?

Before the procedure your child will be given a choice of different flavours for the nose mask. We will switch on the inhalation sedation and place the mask over your child’s nose so they can breathe in the ‘happy gas'.

After a few minutes your child should start to feel more relaxed. They may experience the following sensations:

• feeling giggly
• a tingling feeling in fingers and/or toes
• a warm sensation all over the body
• a feeling of wellbeing or floating

The dentist and dental nurse will help put your child at ease by talking softly and calmly throughout the dental treatment. Your child may still need to have local anaesthetic (injection) as part of the treatment. Before we give the injection, we place a special gel on the gum which numbs the area. When the dental treatment is finished, the dentist will turn off the nitrous oxide and your child will breathe oxygen until the sedative effects have worn off.

Risks

Inhalation sedation has no health risks for patient use. Please be aware of the following:

• Your child may not be completely sedated if for some reason they cannot breathe easily (for example if they have a cold).
• Your child may feel sick or vomit, therefore we advise that they have only a light meal up to one hour before their appointment.
• Your child may feel dizzy, but this feeling will pass quickly.

What should I do if my child is unwell?

If your child has a heavy cold, blocked nose, sore throat or temperature, please call the clinic to rearrange your appointment.

Why do I need to sign a consent form?

If you decide your child should have sedation, you will be asked to sign a consent form on behalf of your child. Consent is the process by which you agree to and understand the treatment that is to be undertaken for your child. You can ask any questions about the treatment at any time during this process.

About the visit

Inhalation sedation is safe. There are, however, a few rules to follow.

Before the visit

If your child is worried, encourage them to practise breathing through their nose with their mouth open. A mask can be given to you to take away so your child can get used to it.

• Do not bring any other children with you to the appointment, as your child will need your full, undivided attention. If you do bring other children with you, the appointment will be cancelled,
• Your child can eat a light meal up to one hour before the appointment. They are able to carry on drinking as normal.
• Give as normal any medication that your child routinely takes.
• At each appointment a parent/ legal guardian will need to attend.
• If you think the patient or accompanying adult may be pregnant or is trying for a baby, please let the dentist know before treatment begins.
• Please cancel your appointment if your child has a cold, blocked nose or temperature on the day of the appointment.
• Try to let the dentist and the dental nurse talk to your child during treatment without interruptions. This helps relax your child and also avoids confusion. You are welcome to ask questions or give your comments at other times in the dental surgery.

After the visit

• If a local anaesthetic has been given, your child’s cheeks, lips and tongue may remain numb for up to three hours. It is important to continue to remind your child not to chew their cheeks, lips or tongue during this period.
• We will advise you if your child can return to school the same day.
• Your child should not play any sport for the remainder of the day.
• Your child should be supervised by a responsible adult for the remainder of the day.
• Your child can resume normal activities the following day.

MyChart

We would encourage you to sign up for MyChart, the electronic patient portal at Cambridge University Hospitals that enables patients to securely access parts of their health record held within the hospital’s electronic patient record system (Epic). It is available via your home computer or mobile device.

Contacts/ further information

We hope this information has helped in answering any questions you may have. If you have any concerns or further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Cleft.NET.East, the East of England regional cleft lip and palate service. You can call us on 01223 596272, email Ceft.NET.East or write to us at:

Cleft.NET.East,
Box 46,
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust,
Hills Road,
Cambridge,
CB2 0QQ

Privacy and dignity

Same sex bays and bathrooms are offered in all wards except critical care and theatre recovery areas where the use of high-tech equipment and/or specialist one-to-one care is required.