Dentistry under sedation and general anaesthesia allows provision of high-quality treatment for comprehensive procedures, anxious kids and those with special needs

Sedation & General Anaesthesia | Dentist

Safe Dental Sedation in Miranda, NSW, for Children

Sedation Dentistry

Maintaining your child’s dental health can feel stressful when they require complicated dental procedures. However, at Southside Paediatric Dentistry, we offer excellent solutions for ensuring your child’s comfort, including sedation dentistry and general anaesthesia.

Our paediatric specialist dentists are experienced in delivering exceptional dental care according to each child's unique needs. They will discuss options with you if they believe your child might benefit from sedation dentistry in our clinic or treatment under general anaesthetic.

Who Can Benefit from Treatment with General Anaesthesia?

Treatment with general anaesthesia may be ideal in these situations.

Severe Dental Anxiety or Phobia

Children who are extremely fearful or anxious about dental visits may benefit from sedation or general anaesthesia to alleviate their fears.

Kids with Special Needs

General anaesthesia can make dental procedures more comfortable for children with medical, physical or behavioural special needs.

Complex Dental Treatment Plans

If your child needs complex procedures, general anaesthesia makes it comfortable for our dentists to finish all the treatments during one appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you treat children under a general anaesthetic?

Yes, we offer dental treatment under general anaesthesia for children when necessary. This service is provided in collaboration with specialist anaesthetists in a hospital setting, ensuring the highest standards of safety and care.

Our board-registered paediatric specialist dentists are experienced in performing dental procedures under general anaesthesia. This option is typically considered for:

Very young children who require extensive dental work
Children with severe dental anxiety or behavioural challenges
Patients with special needs who may have difficulty cooperating during standard dental procedures
Complex dental treatments that are best performed in a single session

Partnering with Parents for the Best Possible Outcomes

The decision to use general anaesthesia is made on a case-by-case basis, considering the child's overall health, dental needs and ability to cope with treatment. Our specialists will thoroughly discuss this option with parents, explaining the benefits and potential risks.

When general anaesthesia is deemed appropriate, we work closely with specialist anaesthetists highly trained in paediatric care. The procedure is conducted in a hospital environment with advanced monitoring systems and emergency facilities.

We understand that the prospect of general anaesthesia can be concerning for parents. Rest assured, our team prioritises your child's safety and comfort throughout the process, from pre-operative assessment to post-operative care and follow-up.

Our goal is to provide comprehensive dental treatment while minimising stress and discomfort for your child, ensuring the best possible outcomes for their oral health.

Do you treat children with severe anxiety or dental phobia?

Yes, we specialise in treating children with severe anxiety and dental phobia. We understand that dental visits can be particularly challenging for these patients, and we're committed to providing a supportive, comfortable environment and tailored treatment approaches.

Our board-registered paediatric specialist dentists are highly experienced in managing dental anxiety in children. We use a range of techniques to help alleviate fear and make dental visits more manageable:

Behavioural management strategies — We use child-friendly explanations, positive reinforcement and distraction techniques.
Nitrous oxide sedation — Also known as 'happy gas', this mild sedative helps children relax during treatment while remaining conscious.
General anaesthesia — For more complex procedures or severely anxious patients, we offer treatment under general anaesthesia in a hospital setting, working alongside specialist anaesthetists.

Personalised Treatment for Positive Outcomes

The choice of approach depends on the child's individual needs, the complexity of the required treatment, and the severity of their anxiety. We'll discuss all available options with you to determine the most appropriate method for your child.

Our team is trained to create a calm, non-threatening atmosphere in our clinic. We take time to build trust with anxious patients, often using a gradual approach to help them become more comfortable with dental procedures over time.

We're committed to helping children overcome their dental fears, ensuring they receive necessary treatment while developing a more positive attitude towards dental care. We aim to set the foundation for good oral health habits that will last a lifetime.

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Southside Paediatric Dentistry offers nitrous oxide or happy gas to help kids relax and feel at ease in the dental chair. It’s a conscious form of sedation, meaning your child remains awake and responsive during the procedure.

Happy gas is administered through a nasal mask worn during treatment. Kids report feeling floaty and happy during treatment with happy gas; its effects wear off once we remove the mask.

If you feel your child would benefit from using nitrous oxide during dental procedures, talk with Dr Stephen or Dr Paul about your options.

What Is General Anaesthesia?

General anaesthesia allows kids with complicated treatment needs to receive their care comfortably and safely, essentially feeling like they’re sleeping throughout the procedures.

Our paediatric specialist dentists perform treatment under general anaesthesia at a private hospital, and a specialist medical doctor called an anaesthetist. The anaesthetist is there to supervise medication administration and monitor your child’s vital signs and heart rate throughout their treatment.

If you’re looking for exceptional dental care for your child, our Miranda paediatric dental clinic has proudly served the community since 2011, and we’d love to welcome your family to our practice.

Meet Our Team:

Dr Soni Stephen
Specialist Paediatric Dentist & Director

BDS MDS Paed.Dent (Adel) MRACDS (Paed.Dent) FRACDS FADI FICD

Dr Soni Stephen (President-IAPD) is an experienced and passionate Australian trained specialist Paediatric Dentist who completed his specialist training in 1997 from the University of Adelaide and the Women's and Children's Hospital. He the worked at the Royal Children’s Hospital of Melbourne until 2000 prior to moving to Sydney. Dr Stephen was appointed as Head of Paediatric Dentistry at Sydney Dental Hospital in 2000 a role he held till 2014. He was also a visiting specialist to Sydney Children's and Canterbury ...

Sedation & General Anaesthesia Technology

Happy Gas

Southside Paediatric Dentistry offers nitrous oxide, commonly known as happy gas, to help children feel relaxed and comfortable during dental treatments. This safe and gentle sedation method is inhaled through a small mask, inducing a sense of calm without putting your child to sleep.

The effects wear off quickly, allowing them to return to their normal activities right after the appointment. We prioritise ensuring every visit is a positive experience for your child.

SEE OUR TECHNOLOGY

Could Your Child Benefit from Sedation Dentistry?