Patient video
Welcoming and Wonderful Practice
A patient shares the welcoming atmosphere and positive experience they found at our Port Dover office.

Port Dover Family Dentistry
Sedation can help some patients through anxious or lengthy visits. Fishers Glen patients can learn about options, safety checks and recovery in Port Dover.
Let’s get you smiling
Tell us how we can help. Our team will follow up to confirm a time.
Caring for Fishers Glen patients at our Port Dover office
See every service for Fishers GlenComfort for harder visits
Dental sedation uses medication to help you feel calmer and more relaxed during treatment. Depending on the type, you may feel mildly relaxed while fully awake, or deeply drowsy with little memory of the appointment afterward. Sedation can help people with significant dental anxiety, a strong gag reflex, difficulty sitting still or those having longer, more involved procedures. It always works alongside local anaesthetic, which numbs the tooth itself.
If you are in Fishers Glen and think sedation might help you get the care you need, ask about it when you call our Port Dover office. The dentist will review your health, medications and the planned treatment to determine which options, if any, are suitable and safe for you.

Types of sedation
Nitrous oxide, breathed through a nose mask, provides mild relaxation and wears off quickly once the gas is stopped. Oral sedation involves taking a prescribed tablet before the appointment, producing a calmer, drowsier state while you remain able to respond. Both allow you to communicate with the team, and the dentist will explain how each might feel for you.
Deeper levels of sedation, such as intravenous sedation or general anaesthesia, involve more monitoring and specific training and are typically provided in particular settings. If these are appropriate for your needs, the dentist may discuss a referral to a provider or facility that offers them. Ask what options are available and where they would take place.
Is it right for you?
The dentist will ask about your medical history, including heart and lung conditions, sleep apnea, pregnancy, liver or kidney issues and any history of reactions to sedation or anaesthesia. All medications and supplements must be disclosed, as some interact with sedatives. In some cases, input from your physician may be requested before sedation is planned for you.
Sedation can make treatment more manageable, but it carries risks and requires preparation and recovery time. The dentist will explain the benefits, risks and alternatives, such as non-medication anxiety strategies or nitrous oxide alone. You should understand what is involved before agreeing, and you can ask any questions you have before making a decision. Take your time.
Preparing
You will receive specific instructions about eating and drinking before your appointment, and whether to take your usual medications. Follow them exactly, as they are important for your safety. Wear comfortable clothing with sleeves that roll up easily, remove nail polish if asked and avoid alcohol in the period before treatment as directed. Ask if unsure.
With oral or deeper sedation, you must have a responsible adult drive you home and, in many cases, stay with you for a period afterward. Do not plan to drive, operate machinery, make important decisions or return to work for the rest of the day. Arrange this before your appointment so the day runs smoothly.
Recovery
After oral or deeper sedation, you may feel drowsy, unsteady or forgetful for several hours. Rest at home, have someone nearby and avoid stairs or tasks that require coordination until you feel steady. Follow any aftercare instructions for the dental treatment itself, such as eating soft foods or managing tenderness at the treated site. Rest fully.
Contact the office if you have unexpected symptoms, such as prolonged drowsiness, nausea that does not settle or pain that worsens. Seek emergency care for breathing difficulties. At your next visit, share how the experience went, so the comfort plan can be adjusted for any future appointments you need. Your feedback shapes how the next visit is planned.
Planning your appointment
Call our Port Dover office and mention that you are interested in sedation. The team will arrange a consultation to review your health, discuss the procedure and explain which options might be appropriate.
Bring a full list of medications and health conditions, and plan for a companion to drive you home if oral or deeper sedation is used.
Before you book
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
It depends on the type. With nitrous oxide or oral sedation, you are usually awake but relaxed. Deeper sedation or general anaesthesia may leave you unaware of the procedure. The dentist will explain what to expect for each option.
Sedation is generally safe when used appropriately and with careful screening and monitoring. Risks depend on your health and the type of sedation. The dentist will review your history and explain any specific risks before recommending it.
After oral or deeper sedation, you should not drive for the rest of the day and will need someone to take you home. After nitrous oxide alone, the dentist will advise when it is safe to drive.
Yes, in most cases. Sedation helps you relax but does not numb the tooth. Local anaesthetic is still used for procedures that need it, so you stay comfortable during treatment. The dentist checks numbness first.
Some children may be candidates for nitrous oxide or other sedation after careful assessment. Deeper sedation for children is usually provided in specialized settings. The dentist will discuss what is appropriate for your child and why.
Nitrous oxide can help some patients feel calmer during dental care. Fishers Glen patients can learn about suitability, effects and recovery in Port Dover.
Nervous about the dentist? Fishers Glen patients can tell our Port Dover team what triggers their worry and plan pacing, signals and comfort options together.
Recognized year after year
Best Dentists in Norfolk
Proudly recognized among Norfolk’s top-rated dental practices for six consecutive years.

2021 Winner

2022 Winner

2023 Winner

2024 Winner

2025 Winner

2026 Winner
Stories from our patients
Watch a patient’s experience and browse more five-star reviews from people who have visited our Port Dover dental clinic.
Patient video
A patient shares the welcoming atmosphere and positive experience they found at our Port Dover office.
Google reviews
Swipe or use the arrows
Read all reviewsYour next visit can start today
New patients and CDCP patients are welcome. Tell us how we can help and our Port Dover dental team will follow up with you.
Evening appointments Monday and Tuesday