Dental Care for Nervous and Anxious Patients at East Adelaide Dental Studio
Do You Feel Anxious About Visiting the Dentist?
Dental anxiety causes many Australians to delay or avoid treatment entirely. Feelings of dread, fear, and anxiety before a dental appointment are normal responses, not signs of weakness. Many patients at East Adelaide Dental Studio first arrived after years of avoidance, searching for any excuse to cancel their appointment. Many of these patients have since completed treatment, from routine check-ups to complex restorative procedures.
Dental anxiety is a recognised condition and a range of management approaches are available. East Adelaide Dental Studio works with nervous patients at their own pace, ensuring comfort at every stage. The team aims to work at the patient’s pace and to take their concerns seriously. Every patient receives an experience designed around their individual comfort level, with clear explanations provided before any procedure begins.
What Sedation Options Are Available for Nervous Dental Patients?
East Adelaide Dental Studio provides two sedation options for nervous patients. The right choice depends on three factors: your anxiety level, the complexity of treatment required, and your personal preference.
IV Sedation — deeper sedation administered by a qualified anaesthetist for patients with higher anxiety or those requiring multiple procedures in a single visit.
Inhalation sedation — lighter, conscious sedation for patients with moderate anxiety who prefer to remain awake.
Both options are used to help manage anxiety during dental procedures, with effects varying between patients. Discuss your needs during your first visit to determine which option suits your situation.
How Does IV Sedation Work at East Adelaide Dental Studio?
IV sedation at East Adelaide Dental Studio is administered by a separately qualified sedation provider, not the treating dentist. The sedation provider focuses solely on monitoring your sedation level and safety throughout the entire procedure.
The following steps outline what IV sedation involves for patients:
Block off the entire day for your appointment, including preparation and post-procedure recovery time
Arrange a driver who can take you home and stay with you for the rest of the day
Complete multiple procedures in a single visit lasting 90 minutes to 2 hours, reducing the total number of appointments needed
Expect limited memory of the procedure afterwards, as IV sedation produces an amnesia effect
Plan for grogginess that may last several hours after the sedation wears off
Expect an altered sense of time during the procedure, which varies between patients
IV sedation carries risks, including effects on breathing and blood pressure. Your anaesthetist will assess your suitability and discuss these with you.
IV sedation suits patients who require extractions or wisdom teeth removal and patients who need extensive restorative work completed efficiently in fewer visits. It also supports patients facing a dental emergency who cannot tolerate urgent treatment while fully alert.
How Does Laughing Gas (Nitrous Oxide) Help with Dental Anxiety?
Laughing gas (nitrous oxide) provides lighter, conscious sedation for patients who do not require the deeper effects of IV sedation. A small mask placed over the nose delivers a controlled mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen. Patients remain awake and responsive throughout the procedure, but anxieties ease significantly.
The characteristics of laughing gas include the following:
Fades within minutes of removing the mask, allowing a same-day return to normal activities
May permit self-driving once your dentist confirms you have recovered, unlike IV sedation which requires a designated driver
Adjusts in concentration during treatment, with the dentist increasing or decreasing the level based on your comfort
Suits most routine procedures including cleanings, fillings, and minor restorative work
Laughing gas is an option for patients with moderate anxiety who want to remain conscious during their dental visit.
Why Is East Adelaide Dental Studio Experienced With Dental Anxiety?
Dr Arthur Shizas, Principal Dentist at East Adelaide Dental Studio, has personal experience with dental phobia. He overcame his own fear of dental treatment before becoming a dentist. This firsthand experience gives him genuine understanding of what anxious patients face in the dental chair.
The comfort level Dr Shizas wanted during his own treatment defines the standard of care he now provides:
Treatment progresses at the patient’s pace, not the dentist’s schedule
Sedation options are available for patients who would like additional support during treatment
Patients receive clear, unhurried explanations before any procedure begins
This personal understanding shapes every interaction at the practice. Dr Shizas built East Adelaide Dental Studio around the principle that every patient deserves the comfort he wanted during his own dental experiences.
Read more about Dr Arthur Shizas and his approach to patient care.
What Payment Options Are Available for Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry may carry additional costs depending on the sedation type and the duration of treatment required. IV sedation with a qualified anaesthetist costs more than laughing gas. East Adelaide Dental Studio provides multiple payment pathways to help patients manage these costs.
The following table summarises the available payment and health fund options:
| Payment Method | Details |
|---|---|
| All Health Funds | Accepted, with HICAPS on-site for immediate claims |
| Afterpay | Split costs into 4 instalments. |
| Denticare | Flexible payment plans available |
| ZipPay | Buy now, pay later option |
Frequently Asked Questions
IV sedation produces deep relaxation, not full unconsciousness. You remain technically conscious and able to respond to instructions from the dental team, but most patients have little to no memory of the procedure afterwards. The qualified anaesthetist monitors your sedation level throughout. This differs from general anaesthesia, which renders patients completely unconscious. IV sedation is commonly used for extractions and wisdom teeth removal.
Usually. Laughing gas (nitrous oxide) wears off shortly after the mask is removed. Your dentist will confirm you have fully recovered before you drive yourself home. This is a key difference from IV sedation, which requires a designated driver for the entire day. Prepare for your appointment by reviewing the first visit guide.
Dental sedation carries risks, which your dentist will discuss with you before treatment. IV sedation at East Adelaide Dental Studio is delivered by a fully qualified anaesthetist dedicated solely to monitoring your sedation and safety. Laughing gas has a long history of use in dentistry. Its risks and suitability will be assessed for each patient. Dr Arthur Shizas, who overcame his own dental phobia, understands the safety concerns anxious patients hold and addresses them before treatment begins.
Sedation costs depend on the type and duration. Laughing gas is the lower-cost option. IV sedation costs more because it requires a separate qualified anaesthetist. East Adelaide Dental Studio accepts all health funds with HICAPS on-site and offers Afterpay, Denticare, and ZipPay payment plans. View the full payment options page for detailed information.
Yes. IV sedation allows completion of multiple procedures in a single visit lasting 90 minutes to 2 hours. This approach reduces the total number of dental appointments needed, which benefits patients who find each visit stressful. Complex cases requiring emergency dental treatment can also be completed under sedation to manage both pain and anxiety simultaneously.