Sedation Dentist in Richmond, BC: Do You Need Sedation for Dental Anxiety?
Sedation dentistry means using medicine to help you relax during dental treatment, and many nervous patients do not need it. A lot of people get through with a dentist who listens, a signal to pause and a slower pace. For others, sedation is what finally makes treatment possible, and I will say who those people are.
Let me explain how I would think about it if you were in my chair: start with the lightest thing that works, move up only if you need to, and know exactly what you are agreeing to. Below you will find what helps without sedation, who sedation is for, the levels, how it is kept safe in BC, what to ask, and what the Canadian Dental Care Plan covers.
The short version
• Many nervous people do not need sedation. Telling the team, agreeing a stop signal and going in steps help. Talk therapy has the best evidence for long-standing fear.
• Sedation helps most when fear keeps you away, when treatment is long, or when nothing else has worked. Nitrous oxide is the lightest kind.
• In BC, a dentist needs College approval for moderate sedation or deeper. Ask who gives it and who watches you.
• Dentudio offers sedation, and we are open 9am to 5pm, seven days a week.
Written by Dr. Gloria Jung, DDS, BSc, at Dentudio Dentists in Richmond. Reviewed on 30 October 2026 against guidance from the American Dental Association, the BC College of Oral Health Professionals, the Government of Canada and published research, listed at the end of this post.
Do I need sedation if I am scared of the dentist?
Probably not, and you are far from alone. A 2021 review of 31 studies covering 72,577 adults estimated that 15.3 percent of adults have some dental fear, 12.4 percent a high level of it, and 3.3 percent severe fear or phobia. Most of those studies were rated high risk of bias, so read the numbers as a rough guide, not a headcount. The picture is still clear: many people feel nervous, and far fewer feel it so strongly that they cannot be treated.
The NHS hospital trust Guy's and St Thomas' puts it plainly: not everyone needs sedation, and many people have dental treatment using a local anesthetic alone, which is the injection that numbs the area while you stay fully awake.
"But Dr. Jung, I feel sick just booking the appointment." That is a good reason to ask for help, and sedation is one kind of help. It is not the first one I would reach for, because every level of sedation adds some risk and some planning, while the tools in the next section add none.
Your next step: when you book, say that you are nervous. The American Dental Association's MouthHealthy site recommends telling the receptionist when you book and reminding the dentist and team when you arrive.
What helps dental anxiety without sedation?
Telling the team, agreeing a signal, understanding each step before it happens, and giving your mind something to do. MouthHealthy lists these, and you can try every one at your next visit:
Speak up. Share any bad experience from the past and ask what is going to happen. MouthHealthy says knowing what is going to happen can ease the fear of the unknown.
Agree a signal. Raise your hand and the dentist pauses. MouthHealthy also says to talk about pain before it starts, because some patients are too embarrassed to interrupt.
Give your mind a job. Headphones with music or an audiobook, a stress ball to squeeze, a happy place to picture.
Slow your breathing. Breathe in slowly, breathe out for the same count, five times, then relax one part of your body at a time from your forehead down.
If the fear is years old, the evidence is better for talk therapy than for any gadget. A 2024 systematic review of randomized trials in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders found moderate-certainty support for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in lowering long-term dental anxiety, and for hypnosis in easing anxiety during oral surgery. It found low-certainty support for benzodiazepines, a family of sedative drugs. It did not find support for virtual reality, music, aromatherapy, video information or acupuncture in easing anxiety during oral surgery. Headphones are still worth trying if they help you. The review only says the evidence does not support them as a treatment. Therapy is a separate route from your dentist, and for fear that starts before you even book, I would not rule it out.
Your next step: pick one thing from the list and tell us which one at your first visit. If it is not enough, say so, and we can talk through sedation.
Who does sedation actually help?
People for whom the free tools were not enough, and people whose treatment is big enough that being relaxed makes it easier. In practice that means three groups:
You avoid the dentist because of the fear. If fear has kept you away for years, sedation can make the first visit possible. MouthHealthy warns that the longer you delay, the higher the risk of dental problems that make future visits harder, so a way back in matters.
Your treatment is long or uncomfortable. The Guy's and St Thomas' guide to sedation options says that even people who do not feel anxious choose sedation for some treatments, and it gives having teeth removed as the example.
You have tried the other tools and they did not work. A signal, a slower pace and therapy deserve a fair try first. If you have done that and still cannot stay in the chair, this is what sedation is for.
At Dentudio, the dentist reviews your health history, your treatment and how anxious you are, decides with you whether sedation is appropriate, and goes through the options. Our website says sedation is available from mild sedation to deeper relaxation, matched to your needs. If you recognize yourself in one of these groups, say which one when you call. It tells the team what to plan for.
What kinds of dental sedation are there?
There are four levels, and the American Dental Association's sedation guidelines define them by how you respond, not by the drug. So the level matters more than the method. In the BC College's FAQ, nitrous oxide alone, or a single oral sedative within the maximum recommended dose, counts as minimal sedation. A bigger oral dose, or nitrous combined with other sedatives, can go deeper, the ADA says. At the minimal and moderate levels you breathe on your own. At deep sedation your breathing may need help, and under general anesthesia it is supported for you.
Level | How you are |
No sedation | Awake, the area is numb |
Minimal | Relaxed, answers normally |
Moderate | Drowsy, responds to speech or touch |
Deep | Hard to wake, may need breathing help |
General anesthesia | Unconscious, breathing supported |
The five levels, lightest to deepest. The same information is in the table above.
Here is how each is given, according to Guy's and St Thomas' guide to inhalation sedation and its guide to sedation options:
Nitrous oxide is a mix of oxygen and a calming gas breathed through a small nosepiece. Many people feel relaxed, warm or slightly light-headed, and you recover quickly. You are given oxygen at the end to help you feel more alert.
Oral sedation is a pill or liquid taken beforehand. It can take a long time to start working, so it does not suit everyone.
IV sedation goes in through a small tube in a vein in your arm or hand. It makes you deeply relaxed, and many people remember very little afterwards.
General anesthesia is controlled unconsciousness. It carries more risks than sedation and is for people who cannot be treated under sedation or who need a lot of treatment.
Which of these Dentudio uses for which treatment is a question for the dentist who assesses you, because it depends on your health, your treatment and how anxious you are. When you call, ask: "Which type would you use for me, and why?"
Your next step: you do not have to pick a level yourself. Tell us how anxious you are and what treatment you need, and let the dentist recommend one.
Is dental sedation safe?
It is safe when the level matches your health, the dentist is trained and approved for that level, and someone watches you the whole time. Every level of sedation carries some risk, and deeper levels carry more. Guy's and St Thomas' calls inhalation sedation very safe, and says a general anesthetic carries more risks.
The ADA guidelines give a good picture of what a careful office does, even for the lightest level:
Your medical history and medicines are reviewed, and you give informed consent.
You and whoever comes with you get spoken and written instructions before and after.
A second person trained in basic life support is present besides the dentist.
Your level of consciousness, your oxygen level on a pulse oximeter and your breathing are watched continuously.
Emergency equipment is at hand, written emergency plans exist, and the team rehearses emergencies at least every six months.
The ADA adds that sedation is a continuum, so a patient can drift deeper than planned. That is why it says the dentist must be able to rescue a patient who goes deeper than intended.
In BC, the College of Oral Health Professionals sets the rules. Its page on registering to provide sedation says a dentist must be approved by the College before providing moderate sedation, deep sedation or general anesthesia. Its standards and guidelines page says every dentist giving sedation or general anesthesia must follow the College's standards for that level, and it sets extra rules for children 12 and under. The College's accreditation program also covers registration and assessment of facilities that provide sedation.
You can confirm any dentist is licensed on the College's public register, then ask them directly which level is planned and who is approved to give it. The questions below cover the rest.
Want to talk it through before you decide?
Open 9am to 5pm, seven days a week. Consultations are free at Dentudio.
What should I ask before I agree to sedation?
Ask these, and write the answers down:
Which level of sedation do you plan, and with which medicine?
Who gives it, and are they approved by the College for that level?
Who watches me while the dentist works, and what do they monitor?
Why do you think I need sedation, and what could we try first?
What do you need to know about my health, medicines and allergies, and is anything a reason not to go ahead?
Do I need to fast, and do I need someone to take me home?
What happens if I get sleepier than planned?
What will it cost, and how much will my plan or the CDCP pay?
These questions work at any office, ours included. My list for choosing a dentist in general is in how to choose a dentist in Richmond, BC.
Your next step: bring this list to your consultation.
Does the CDCP or insurance cover sedation, and what does it cost?
Sometimes. I will not put a price on this page, because it depends on the type of sedation and the treatment it goes with. Ask for the fee for your case before you agree.
For the Canadian Dental Care Plan, the Dental Benefits Guide lists sedation as a covered service at the time of writing, with conditions. For patients aged 12 and older:
Nitrous oxide or oral sedation is covered without preauthorization up to four sessions in 12 months. The plan covers it when treatment was tried and did not succeed without sedation, or could not be tried because of significant mental or physical impairment.
IV sedation needs preauthorization and is limited to one session in 12 months. The reasons the guide lists are complex or extensive treatment needs, or significant mental or physical impairment.
Deep sedation and general anesthesia follow the same preauthorization rule, the same one-session limit and the same two reasons.
Sedation is covered only when it goes with at least one eligible CDCP procedure.
The guide does not name anxiety as a reason on its own, and the plan decides each case, so do not assume it applies to you. The guide also tells dentists to discuss with you, before you agree to care, what the CDCP may cover and what amounts may be charged to you. Our front desk can check your coverage before any treatment, and we accept the CDCP. Private plans differ, so check yours too.
Your next step: ask the front desk to check your coverage before you book, so the number is no surprise.
Questions about cost or coverage?
Our front desk can check your coverage before any treatment. Open 9am to 5pm, seven days a week.
What can Dentudio do for a nervous patient in Richmond?
Here is what I can tell you for certain, from our own website and our Google profile:
Sedation is offered. Our website says the dentist reviews your health history, treatment needs and level of anxiety to decide whether sedation is appropriate, then goes through the options with you. Our homepage lists Dr. Steve Ra for family and sedation dentistry, and you can meet all four of our dentists on the dentists page.
We are open seven days a week, 9am to 5pm. That gives you a choice of day, which helps when you want the time that feels easiest. Ask the front desk which times tend to be quieter.
You can be treated in Korean or Chinese. I speak English and Korean, and our team also serves patients in Chinese and Korean. We have pages in Korean and Chinese too. Hearing each step in your first language is one less thing to translate while you are nervous.
We explain steps before we start. Our wisdom teeth removal page says we assess, plan and remove them with your comfort as the priority, and explain every step before we start. Ask for the same at any visit.
Google reviews. We have 4.9 from 578 reviews at the time of writing, and Google's review topics for the clinic include "friendly staff" in 198 reviews and "welcoming atmosphere" in 40.
One of our treatment rooms, from our website.
I have put off the dentist for years because of fear. Where do I start?
With a phone call, not with treatment. Say that you are nervous and how long it has been, and ask for a consultation to talk it through. Consultations are free at Dentudio, and nothing has to be decided that day.
If pain is what finally pushed you to call, do not wait for the fear to ease first. A tooth that throbs or a gum that swells needs a look soon. My guide to a sore back tooth and swollen gum explains what can wait and what cannot. Same-day and walk-in visits are subject to availability, so call first.
Your next step: call us today, tell us how long it has been, and we will find a time that suits you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the safest form of sedation for dental anxiety?
The lightest level that gets you through. Minimal sedation, such as nitrous oxide, leaves you awake and breathing on your own, and Guy's and St Thomas' calls inhalation sedation very safe. Deeper levels need more training, more monitoring and, in BC, College approval, and general anesthesia carries more risks. Every level carries some risk, so the safest choice is the lightest one that works for you.
Who should not have dental sedation?
It depends on your health, not only your fear. Your dentist reviews your medical history and medicines first, and the ADA guidelines say people with significant medical conditions may need their physician consulted. Tell the team about illness, allergies, medicines, a cold or a possible pregnancy, as Guy's and St Thomas' asks patients to. If sedation is not right for you, there are other ways to get through treatment.
Will I be asleep during dental sedation?
Not with minimal or moderate sedation. With nitrous oxide you stay awake and relaxed, and at the moderate level the ADA says you still respond to speech or a light touch. IV sedation leaves many people remembering very little. General anesthesia is different, because you are unconscious. Ask which level is planned for you, since the word sedation covers all of these.
Can I drive home after dental sedation?
Follow your dentist's written instructions, which the ADA says must be given to you and whoever is with you. As a guide, Guy's and St Thomas' says no driving, cycling or machinery for 2 hours after nitrous oxide. Plan on having someone take you home after anything stronger unless your dentist tells you otherwise, and ask before the day which applies to you.
Does the CDCP cover dental sedation?
Sometimes. At the time of writing, the CDCP covers nitrous oxide, oral, IV and deeper sedation when it goes with an eligible procedure. Nitrous oxide and oral sedation need no preauthorization within four sessions a year. IV sedation, deep sedation and general anesthesia need preauthorization and are limited to one session a year. Each has conditions for ages 12 and up, so ask us to check before you book.
How do I get over a fear of the dentist?
Start small. Tell the team you are nervous, agree a signal to pause, and ask for each step to be explained. For fear that has lasted years, a 2024 review of randomized trials found moderate-certainty support for cognitive behavioural therapy. Sedation can help where those are not enough. Book a consultation to talk it through, and remember that consultations are free at Dentudio.
Do I need sedation for a root canal or wisdom tooth removal?
Not necessarily. Guy's and St Thomas' says many people have dental treatment using a local anesthetic alone, and the numbing injection is what stops the pain. Sedation is an added option for people who are anxious or having longer or more involved work, such as extractions. Your dentist can tell you what fits your tooth after an exam.
Talk to us about sedation in Richmond
Being nervous is not a reason to stay away, and it is not a reason to be sedated either. Start with the lightest thing that gets you through the door, and we will take it from there!
Ready to book a visit?
Same-day and walk-in visits are subject to availability, so call first (604-370-1450); for planned visits, use the Book Online button.
Dentudio Dentists, 145-5555 Gilbert Road, Richmond, BC. Open 9am to 5pm, seven days a week. 4.9 from 578 Google reviews at the time of writing.
Sources, read 30 October 2026: American Dental Association, Guidelines for the Use of Sedation and General Anesthesia by Dentists (adopted October 2025), and MouthHealthy, Anxiety, and Anesthesia and Sedation (last updated August 2025); BC College of Oral Health Professionals, Registering to provide sedation (for individuals), Sedation and general anesthesia standards and guidelines, and Accreditation FAQ; Government of Canada, Canadian Dental Care Plan Dental Benefits Guide, section 6.9 Sedation and other adjunctive services; Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Sedation options for dental treatment (last reviewed May 2026) and Inhalation sedation for dental treatment; S.A. Steenen, F. Linke, R. van Westrhenen and A. de Jongh, Interventions to reduce adult state anxiety, dental trait anxiety, and dental phobia, Journal of Anxiety Disorders, volume 105, 2024; E.R. Silveira and colleagues, Estimated prevalence of dental fear in adults, Journal of Dentistry, volume 108, 2021. Review count from Google Maps, 30 October 2026; review topics, rating breakdown and hours from the Google Business Profile, 29 October 2026; sedation, language and wisdom teeth wording from dentudio.com, 30 October 2026.
Dr. Gloria Jung, DDS, BSc
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