Anxiety and Behavioural Management

Co-operation can be difficult for some children, particularly when they are very young or anxious.

The bedrock of all children’s dentistry is sound psychological management. Words are chosen carefully to communicate with your child and the atmosphere in the surgery is both calm and kind.

If active treatment is needed (e.g. fillings etc), topical anaesthetic gel is first applied to the gum and then a special pen is used to deliver the local anaesthesia. Although it is still an injection, it is virtually painless whilst delivering a profound numbness which makes high quality treatment possible.

For our more anxious patients, we can offer inhalation sedation using a mixture of medical grade nitrous oxide and oxygen. This makes it possible for anxious young patients to be treated without the need for general anaesthesia (please note we do not offer general anaesthetic at 38 Devonshire Street). Conscious sedation techniques offer a safe way to manage anxiety in children of all ages.