Increase In Scottish Patients Choosing Sedation
There has been a significant increase in the number of Scottish people choosing sedation for dental treatment.
According to NHS figures there has been a 20 per cent increase in the number of patients choosing to have sedation, and 40 people per day are having IV or oral sedation or laughing gas.
Sedation is most common among middle-aged patients and this is attributed to negative experiences during the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s.
Sedation is popular because it removes the stress and pain of dental treatment, causing the patient to fall into a sleep-like state. But it does not make you lose consciousness or carry the risks associated with general anaesthetic. Sedative medication can be inhaled, taken in tablet form or given intravenously.
Statistics from NHS Scotland’s Information Services Division showed the number of procedures undertaken with sedation has increased from 10,991 in 2007 to 13,766 in the first eleven months of 2012. The cost of treatment has also increased from £550,906 in 2007 to £769,733 in 2012.
Experts believe that between a quarter and a half of Scots are afraid of going to the dentist, while 3 million people in the UK admitted to trying DIY dentistry because they were desperate to avoid visiting a dentist.
Arshad Ali, clinical director of the Scottish Centre for Excellence in Dentistry in Glasgow, said he carries out around 3 procedures using sedation per week. He added that he prefers to offer sedation as a last resort because there is a risk of an allergic reaction.
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