FOR PATIENTS

Many Australians delay or avoid medical and dental care altogether due to anxiety or fear surrounding procedures. In dentistry alone, nearly 16% of adults suffer from dental fear, often leading them to postpone essential treatment.

This avoidance can have serious consequences, especially when it comes to oral health—allowing minor issues to develop into major problems.

With the availability of office-based anaesthesia and IV sedation, patients now have a safe and effective way to receive the care they need without fear or distress. Instead of putting off visits, thousands of people are now able to comfortably restore their health and wellbeing—with calm, dignity, and expert support every step of the way.

What to expect:
Intravenous Sedation

A Calm, Safe, and Satisfying Experience

Our mission is to provide a sedation experience that is calm, safe, and smooth from start to finish. For most patients, the process feels uneventful—often described as surprisingly easy and far more relaxed than they expected. This is why satisfaction rates with our sedation services are consistently close to 100%.

While only general anaesthesia can guarantee complete unconsciousness, no pain, and total amnesia, high-quality office-based sedation comes remarkably close. In the vast majority of cases, patients do not remember the procedure and report little to no discomfort. The powerful medications we use are highly effective in reducing anxiety, creating a deep sense of calm, and making the entire experience feel effortless.

We take pride in tailoring sedation to each individual, always placing safety first.

Our goal is not just to deliver sedation—it’s to ensure you feel safe, comfortable, and leave with peace of mind, knowing the experience was managed with expert care.

Benefits

IV sedation is beneficial for multiple circumstances. In a dental office, it is most used for:

Anxiety or phobia related to procedures, especially dental work
Previous traumatic experiences with medical or dental treatments
Sensitivity to needles, drills, discomfort, tastes, or smells
Strong gag reflex that interferes with treatment
Lengthy or complex procedures requiring extended time
Difficulty staying still in the chair or on the procedure table

Who will give my anaesthetics?

Riverside Anaesthesia only works with experienced anaesthetists for its sedatives. During the anaesthetics, you will be constantly monitored by a dedicated specialist doctor who will provide one-to-one care to you. Anaesthetists in Australia are highly qualified medical specialists, having spent at least five years of specialist training, after the compulsory 2 years of internship and residency. In the 5 years of specialist training, anaesthetists undergo intensive training in anaesthesia, intensive care, pain management, resuscitation and the management of medical emergencies.
Is it safe?

Yes. Although a few patients may have mild side effects such as nausea, modern anaesthesia is exceptionally safe. The risk of complications is associated more closely to the specific type of procedure a patient is undergoing and his or her underlying health problems than to the actual anaesthesia itself. With office-based anaesthesia – for properly selected procedures, thoroughly screened patients, and with an experienced anaesthetist – the risk is indeed very low. With the advent of more sophisticated monitoring, a better understanding of individual responses to anaesthesia and surgery, and improved anaesthesia agents, the safety of anaesthesia has dramatically increased over the last two decades. The general risk of mortality from anaesthesia is estimated to be 1:200,000 – 1:400,000 for healthy patients undergoing elective procedures. Indeed, the most risky part of the surgical day is potentially the car trip home.
Will i need pre-assessment prior to my anaesthetic?

Once your procedure has been confirmed and booked, you will need to fill in a health questionnaire to the best of your ability. Get someone to help if you require. Your anaesthetist will contact you for phone assessment and may request further workup/ optimisation of your health if required. This is a very useful opportunity for you to ask any questions that you have about the anaesthetist.
Cost effective and claim on Medicare

Having all of your dental treatment, for example, in one appointment is not only convenient for many patients but can also be cost effective especially when considering down-time and time off from work , and family life. Whilst the costs of sleep dentistry do include the costs of the specialist anaesthetist, these anaesthetic fees are claimable on Medicare. We will assist you in getting reimbursement from Medicare. Receipt will be provided once payment has been completed.
Ideal for very anxious patients.

Anyone and everyone c but it is particularly indicated for patients who are nervous or anxious, cannot tolerate dental treatment, for example, because of issues such as gagging reflex, or cannot lie back to receive dental treatment.
Are there any hidden fees?

No. Our fees include all necessary medications, disposable equipment and sterilization of multiple-use equipment.