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Paediatric Inhalation Sedation: Safe and Relaxing Dental Visits for Kids

Boy with paediatric inhalation sedation nose hood on

At Kids Dental Care, we prioritise the comfort and safety of our young patients. Understanding that dental visits can sometimes be daunting for children, we offer inhalation sedation as a gentle solution to help ease anxiety and discomfort during dental procedures. Our dedicated team is trained to provide a warm, supportive environment, ensuring a positive dental experience for your child.

What is Inhalation Sedation?

Inhalation sedation, often referred to as “funny air” or by its technical name, nitrous oxide, is a safe and effective way to manage pain and anxiety in paediatric dentistry. This mild sedative helps children remain calm and comfortable, yet fully awake and able to communicate, throughout their dental treatment.

How Does It Work?

During inhalation sedation, your child will breathe a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen through a small, comfortable mask placed over their nose. The sedative takes effect within a few minutes, inducing a relaxed state. Your child may feel light-headed or a tingling in their arms and legs, often accompanied by a sense of well-being and ease. The effects of the gas are easily reversible, and its sedative properties resolve with three minutes of oxygen, allowing your child to recover quickly without lingering grogginess.

Benefits of Inhalation Sedation for Children:

  • Ease of Anxiety: Significantly reduces dental anxiety, making it easier for children to receive necessary treatments.
  • Pain Management: Helps minimise discomfort during dental procedures.
  • Quick Recovery: The effects wear off soon after the treatment, allowing children to resume their normal activities almost immediately.
  • Safe and Controlled: Nitrous oxide is considered a safe sedative for children when administered by a trained professional, with the dosage carefully monitored throughout the procedure.

Our Commitment to Your Child’s Comfort

At Kids Dental Care, our team are committed to providing a compassionate and understanding approach to dental care. We believe in making dental visits a positive experience for children, building a foundation for a lifetime of healthy dental habits. Inhalation sedation is just one of the many ways we tailor our care to meet the unique needs of each young patient.

Schedule Your Child’s Visit

If you’re considering inhalation sedation for your child’s next dental visit, or if you have any questions about our pediatric dental services, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or to learn more about how we can make your child’s dental experience a pleasant one. Let us partner with you in keeping your child’s smile healthy and bright, every step of the way.

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Lorna Breakenridge

Dental Nurse

Lorna qualified with an SVQ Level 7 in Dental Nursing from Mentor Training in 2021. Lorna says her favourite aspect of working in dentistry is being able to put people at ease and make them feel comfortable (you’ll definitely have heard her singing along to the radio if you’ve been in surgery with her).

She particularly enjoys working with children and helping them to overcome any fears they may have. In her spare time Lorna enjoys travelling, trying new foods and whilst she won’t admit it, she’s a karaoke queen (her rendition of The real Slim Shady is really something to behold).

She says her greatest achievement to date is passing her driving test at the start of 2023, much to the relief of her parents and Pam who were having to drive her to/from work every day.

Alicia Dillon

Dental Therapist

Alicia’s full bio will be ready shortly!

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Hazel Hannigan

Dentist

Hazel graduated with Honours from Glasgow Dental School in 2010, receiving the Dean Webster and Lord Provost prizes for being the highest performing student in her year. In 2012 she became a member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow after completing her MFDS examinations. 

She then spent some time in the public dental services, focussing on the treatment of children, anxious patients and those with additional support needs, before working as a general dental practitioner in practices based in Alexandria and Airdrie.

In July 2016, Hazel and her husband, Pearse, established Hannigan Dental Care, making the leap from associates to principal dentists. Hazel has lots of experience treating anxious patients, having logged hundreds of hours of sedation over her career, but she says she especially enjoys treating children, even more so since becoming a mum herself.

She believes forging good relationships with children as early as possible helps prevent dental anxieties ever developing and feels very lucky to be in a position where she can see families regularly and watch children grow and develop year on year. Out with clinical dentistry, Hazel is the vice chair of the Lanarkshire Local Dental Committee, and also holds seats on Lanarkshire’s GP Subcommittee and Area Dental Advisory Committee, groups which represent NHS dentists in communications with the health board and Scottish Government. Hazel’s hobbies include baking, reading and walking and one day she hopes to have some free time to actually practice them again.

 

John McCall

John McCall

Dentist

John qualified in Dentistry from the University of Glasgow with Commendation in 2018. His professional journey encompasses a broad spectrum of training within General Dental Practices, hospitals, and the Public Dental Service. 

These training roles included working in Paediatric Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry, Oral Surgery, and Maxillofacial Surgery. This diverse expertise enables him to deliver unparalleled care to his patients.

Since his graduation, John has been dedicated to treating anxious paediatric patients, leveraging advanced technologies such as “The Wand” for pain-free anaesthesia. His proficiency in this area has led him to provide valuable training and courses to both General Dental Practices and the Public Dental Service. Furthermore, for the past five years, John has been practicing Inhalation Sedation, contributing to his role as a mentor in sedation training for dental professionals.

His academic achievements include Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians Glasgow and a Postgraduate Certificate in Dental Education. Currently, John serves as an Honorary Clinical Teacher in Paediatric Dentistry at the University of Glasgow, where he passionately guides future dentists in compassionate patient care. His contributions to dental education are complemented by his research published in the European Journal of Dental Education.

Beyond his professional life, John is a former elite track and field sprint hurdler and sprinter, having proudly represented and captained Scotland in international competitions and still holds Scottish and Celtic records over sprint hurdles. Although retired from competitive sports, he remains active, undertaking challenges for charity, such as the Ultra Marathon Spartan Race, and is preparing for the 70.3 Ironman triathlon in June 2024.