Your sedation journey
From arranging your appointment to checking in with you afterwards, we aim to make every stage clear, simple and reassuring.
Sedation is requested
Sedation may be suggested by your dentist or doctor, or it may be something you would like to consider yourself. Your practice will discuss suitable dates with you before contacting Sedation Solutions to secure a mutually convenient date and time.
We arrange your sedationist
Your practice contacts our team and we coordinate the booking around your appointment, location and the availability of our sedationists. Where a particular sedationist has been requested, we will do our best to accommodate this.
You receive your patient pack
Once the provisional booking has been made, we send you a secure electronic patient pack, which explains your sedation, frequently asked questions, medical history and consent forms, escort arrangements and other important information.
Simply complete everything online and return it to us at your earliest convenience.
We review your medical history
Your medical information is reviewed and your suitability assessed before your procedure date, to make sure we understand your individual needs.
If anything requires further discussion, your sedationist may contact you directly or, where appropriate, obtain additional information from one of the healthcare professionals involved in your care.
You can also request to speak to your sedationist beforehand. Their contact details are provided to you so that you can ask questions at any stage.
We confirm the details
Once the required information has been received, your sedation arrangements are confirmed with you, your practice and your sedationist via email. Part of this process is confirming the name and telephone number of the responsible adult who will escort you home following your sedation.
The day before
You will receive a reminder with your appointment details, instructions about eating and drinking, and your sedationist’s contact information.
Unless specifically advised otherwise, continue taking your usual medication as instructed, using a small amount of water where necessary.
Meeting your sedationist
Please arrive approximately 15 minutes early for dental treatment and 30–45 minutes early for medical procedures, unless you have been given different instructions.
Before anything begins, your sedationist will meet with you and explain what to expect, the medicines being used, how you will be monitored, recovery and the relevant risks. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions.
We want you to understand your sedation and feel comfortable proceeding before treatment begins.
Sedation, treatment & recovery
Your sedationist remains with you throughout your sedation, continuously monitoring you and maintaining a detailed medical record.
The medicines we use are generally short acting, so recovery is usually relatively quick. Many dental patients are ready to leave approximately 20 minutes after sedation has finished, while recovery following medical procedures is commonly around 45–60 minutes.
These are only typical times — you will leave when you have recovered sufficiently and our discharge criteria have been met, not simply because a certain amount of time has passed.
Your escort can then accompany you home with your aftercare instructions.
Curious what this stage actually feels like, moment to moment? See what happens on the day of your sedation →
We check in the following day
The next day, usually early in the afternoon, we will send you a short follow-up questionnaire.
It allows you to tell us how you are feeling and about your experience of the sedation and treatment. Your comprehensive sedation record is securely retained by Sedation Solutions and made available to your treating practice for their clinical records.
From booking to recovery, you are supported throughout.
Arranging this for a patient rather than yourself? See our guidance for healthcare professionals →
