IV Sedation Before Care
Before your sedation appointment, you need:
CARER / HELP: Someone must come with you who can take you home in private transport. A taxi/UBER with your carer is ok, not on a train or bus. You must have a carer collect you from the surgery, take you home in a private vehicle, taxi/uber ok, NO public transport and they must stay with you 4-6 hours once home.
FASTING: You need to fast before your arrival:
Procedures starting before 11am:
• No food after midnight the night before and NO FOOD on the morning of the
procedure.
• MUST drink 2 glasses of water/lemonade or clear apple juice 2 hours before
your procedure time, then NIL BY MOUTH in the 2 hours prior to the
procedure.
Procedures 11am or later:
• You MUST EAT 6 hours prior to the procedure, then stop eating after that
meal, (set an alarm if this is earlier than your usual wake up time to eat)
• Drink clear fluids ONLY up until 2 hours prior to the procedure having at
least 2 glasses / 400mls, then NIL BY MOUTH in the last 2 hours before your
procedure.
If you are on Ozempic or Mounjaro etc: See special (longer) fasting instructions, which will be issued by the sedation team.
DRESS: Wear a short-sleeved t-shirt, jumper & warm, loose-fitting pants or skirt,
and closed-in, laced up shoes. No “onesies”, dresses, thongs, scuffs.
Do not wear contact lenses or make-up.
For long appointments or if you have any incontinence issues, wear a pad.
It is recommended to wear knee length compression socks / stockings.
MEDICATIONS: Please take any usual medicines at least two hours before your appointment with water unless advised by your dentist not to.
Diabetics: Refer to separate instructions for insulin & diabetic meds.
ADHD: Avoid ADHD Meds (eg Ritalin, Vyvanse, Dexamphetamine, Concerta) in
the morning before your appointment.
• Do not smoke or vape on the day of your procedure and do not drink alcohol for 24hrs before & after your sedation. Reduce your intake in the lead up to your appointment as much as possible and avoid other recreational / illicit drugs.
• Advise us & your dentist if there is any change to your medical history.
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IV Sedation After Care
After your sedation:
You will recover in the dental surgery for ½ - 2 hours, depending on when you are ready to be released into the care of your responsible adult. At this time there is still residual medication in your system. Even if you feel great, you are still affected. This responsible adult should remain with you for at least 4-6 hours to:
• help you to the car, drive you or take you home in private transport (with you in a taxi is ok, but NOT on public transport), and help you inside.
• Recline you in the front seat of the car (keeping the belt on your shoulder). • stay with you to assist you for the rest of the day, including assisting you as required to eat, drink, use the toilet, take medications and follow other postoperative instructions (you may forget the instructions).
For the rest of the day, even though most people will quickly feel ok:
• You may feel drowsy: You need to rest / sleep.
• You will have unstable blood pressure: so rest or sleep in bed or on a lounge with your legs up. Do not stand around (eg preparing food in the kitchen) or sit up at your desk or table –you may get nauseous, faint or collapse.
• Your balance and reflexes will be impaired, so no moving about unaided, cooking, cleaning, childcare, ladders, showers, baths, or active pursuits etc.. • Your memory and judgement may be impaired (& forgetful for some hours), so follow your carer & no work, study, big decisions, shopping, social media etc You cannot drive or operate machinery for 24 hours after sedation.
Take regular, small amounts of fluid, and eat if you feel able – soft cool foods only. Don’t suck anything thick through a straw. Warm tea, coffee, soup is ok, but not hot.
From the next day after your sedation, try to move around, but don’t over-exert yourself. You may feel affected, moody or poorly for some time (several days), especially after surgery or extractions.
Moving about, drinking plenty of fluids and eating healthy food will help.
Do not return to normal activities until you feel ok.
Rarely, allergic reactions can occur, even days after your appointment. Symptoms may include redness, rash, wheezing, swelling, feelings of illness or faintness. This needs to be urgently reviewed – please contact your dentist or doctor.
If you have any problems relating to your dental procedure, please contact your dentist. For questions regarding your sedation, please contact your Sedationist.