Sleep Dentistry & General Anaesthetic
Comfortable dental care for anxious patients.
Feeling nervous about visiting the dentist is more common than many people realise. For some patients, dental anxiety can make it difficult to book an appointment, sit comfortably in the dental chair or complete the treatment they need.
At DentalOne, we provide a range of comfort and anxiety-management options for patients who feel nervous about dental treatment.
Options We May Discuss With You
Depending on your medical history, level of anxiety and the type of treatment required, your dentist may discuss options including:
Not every anxious patient needs to be completely asleep. Your dentist will discuss your concerns and help determine which approach may be suitable for you.
What Is Sleep Dentistry?
“Sleep dentistry” is a general term patients often use to describe dental treatment performed with medication, sedation or general anaesthetic.
However, not every sleep dentistry option makes you fully unconscious.
With lighter anxiety-management options, you will generally remain awake and able to communicate with the dental team. Under general anaesthetic, you are fully unconscious while your planned dental treatment is completed.
The right option will depend on your health, treatment needs and individual assessment.
Who May Benefit From Sleep Dentistry?
Sleep dentistry or additional anxiety support may be considered for patients who:
Your dentist will review your medical history, medications, treatment requirements and personal preferences before recommending an option.
Options for Dental Anxiety and Discomfort
A calm and gradual approach
Some patients feel more comfortable when treatment is completed slowly and in stages.
Your DentalOne team can explain each step before proceeding, arrange breaks and agree on a signal you can use whenever you would like the dentist to pause.
For patients with mild dental anxiety, this may provide enough support to complete treatment comfortably without additional medication.
Prescribed oral medication
For suitable patients, your dentist may discuss prescription oral medications to help reduce anxiety before dental treatment.
You will generally remain awake, although you may feel relaxed or drowsy. Because medication can affect alertness, coordination and memory, you may need a responsible adult to accompany you home.
You must follow all instructions provided by your treating practitioner, including restrictions relating to driving, alcohol, work and operating machinery.
Suitability must be assessed individually, and oral medication does not provide the same level of sedation as a general anaesthetic.
Inhaled pain-relief options
Inhaled analgesia may be considered during certain procedures to help suitable patients manage discomfort.
You remain awake and breathe through a handheld inhaler under the direction and supervision of the treating team.
Inhaled analgesia is not a general anaesthetic and does not make you completely unconscious. It is also not appropriate for every patient, so your health, medications and proposed treatment must be reviewed first.
Dental Treatment Under General Anaesthetic
General anaesthetic allows you to remain fully unconscious while your planned dental treatment is completed.
Your anaesthetic is administered and monitored by an appropriately qualified medical anaesthetist, while your DentalOne dentist completes the agreed dental procedures.
General anaesthetic may be considered for patients with:
During your consultation, your dentist will discuss whether your treatment may be completed in one session or whether it would be safer or more appropriate to divide it into separate appointments.
What Dental Treatments Can Be Completed Under General Anaesthetic?
Depending on your individual circumstances, dental treatment under general anaesthetic may include:
The amount of treatment that can be completed will depend on its complexity, the expected procedure time and what your dental and anaesthetic teams determine can be completed safely.
Not Sure Which Option Is Right for You?
The first step is a conversation. Tell us what worries you about dental treatment and our team will explain the options available, what each one involves and what it is likely to cost. There is no obligation to proceed. You can also call us on (03) 9021 8996.
How Much Does Sleep Dentistry Cost?
The cost of dental treatment under general anaesthetic includes separate components.
These may include:
Your DentalOne treatment plan will explain what is included in your dental quotation. The anaesthetist’s fees and any other external fees may be quoted separately.
Can I Receive a Medicare Rebate for General Anaesthetic?
Eligible anaesthetic services provided in connection with dental treatment may attract a Medicare rebate.
Your rebate will depend on factors including:
Medicare rebates generally relate to eligible services provided by the anaesthetist. They do not ordinarily cover the dental treatment itself. Medicare Benefits Schedule items specifically exist for anaesthesia connected with certain dental services.
Some patients may receive higher Medicare benefits after reaching an applicable Medicare Safety Net threshold. However, the amount cannot be guaranteed before the relevant item numbers and individual Medicare circumstances have been confirmed.
Estimated general anaesthetic costs and Medicare rebates
Any estimate we provide is based on an assumed Medicare rebate equivalent to approximately 50%–80% of the quoted anaesthetist’s fee. Your actual rebate may be higher or lower and cannot be guaranteed.
Depending on the procedure time and the estimated Medicare rebate, the estimated out-of-pocket anaesthetist’s fee typically ranges from approximately $1,330 to $5,275.
The anaesthetist’s fee may need to be paid upfront before the Medicare rebate is processed.
Understanding the Medicare Safety Net
Will a concession card increase my Medicare rebate?
Holding a concession card does not automatically guarantee a larger rebate for an individual service.
However, some eligible concession card holders and people receiving Family Tax Benefit Part A may qualify for a lower Extended Medicare Safety Net threshold. Reaching the applicable threshold may allow eligible patients to receive higher Medicare benefits for certain out-of-hospital medical services for the remainder of that calendar year.
Applicable benefit caps and other Medicare rules may still affect the final rebate.
Can my family’s medical expenses count towards the Safety Net?
Couples and families may be able to combine eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses by registering as a Medicare Safety Net family.
Registration is important because Medicare does not necessarily combine family expenses automatically. Medicare may also require family details to be confirmed before higher Safety Net benefits are paid.
This means eligible expenses incurred by your partner or dependent children may help your registered family reach the relevant threshold sooner. It does not automatically guarantee a particular rebate for your dental anaesthetic service.
How do I check my Medicare Safety Net?
You can check your Medicare Safety Net information through your Medicare account linked to myGov.
Our team can help explain the anaesthetist’s quotation and show you where to find your Medicare information. However, only Medicare can confirm your current Safety Net position and final benefit entitlement.
Payment Options for General Anaesthetic Treatment
We understand that paying the upfront cost of dental treatment and anaesthetic services can be challenging.
Once your treatment plan and likely anaesthetic costs have been established, our team can explain the payment options that may be available.
Payment arrangements are subject to eligibility, approval and the terms and conditions of the relevant payment provider.
What Happens Before Treatment Under General Anaesthetic?
Every patient is assessed individually. These are the stages you can expect between your first appointment and your treatment day.
Dental consultation
Your dentist will examine your teeth, discuss your concerns and prepare an individual treatment plan.
X-rays, photographs, digital scans or a three-dimensional scan may also be required.
Treatment planning
Your dentist will explain the recommended treatment, alternatives, anticipated procedure time, expected costs and potential risks.
You will have an opportunity to ask questions before deciding whether to proceed.
Anaesthetic assessment
Your medical history and current medications will be reviewed to determine whether general anaesthetic is appropriate.
The anaesthetic team may request further medical information, testing or clearance from your general practitioner or specialist.
Personalised quotation
You will receive information about your dental treatment fees, the estimated anaesthetist’s fee, other associated fees, your potential Medicare rebate and your estimated out-of-pocket cost.
All Medicare figures remain estimates until the service has been completed and processed.
Treatment appointment
You must follow the fasting, medication and arrival instructions provided by the anaesthetic team.
Treatment may need to be postponed if these instructions have not been followed.
Recovery and transport home
You must arrange for a responsible adult to collect you and stay with you after the procedure for the period advised by your anaesthetist.
You must not drive, operate machinery, drink alcohol, return to work or make important decisions until your anaesthetist advises that it is appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book a Sleep Dentistry Consultation in Melbourne
Dental anxiety should not prevent you from receiving the dental care you need. Whether you need additional support while awake or would prefer to discuss completing your treatment under general anaesthetic, our team can explain your options, expected costs and next steps. Book online or call Dental One on (03) 9021 8996.
General anaesthetic, sedation and prescribed medication are not suitable for every patient. Suitability is determined following an individual assessment. All surgical, invasive and anaesthetic procedures involve risks, which will be discussed before treatment proceeds.
