Toothbeary

Children's IV Sedation

Sedation Dentistry for Kids

Why choose Toothbeary for your child’s IV sedation?

Paediatric Dental Sedation, Richmond

At our paediatric dental clinic in Richmond, Twickenham we specialise in paediatric intravenous sedation (IV sedation), offering a safe and calming solution for children who feel anxious or require complex dental treatment. IV sedation helps young patients remain relaxed and comfortable throughout their procedure, while still being conscious and responsive.

Delivered and monitored by experienced professionals, this form of sedation is ideal for creating a stress-free experience—ensuring your child receives the care they need in a gentle and supportive environment.

Our team includes sedation expert, Dr Will Botha (General Medical Council No: 6082094), who has been actively involved in child and adult medical sedation since 2005.

Many children are calm, comfortable, and confident in a dental practice which is designed especially for children. Sometimes, however, a child can feel anxious, especially if he/she is very young or has had a bad experience at the previous dentist.

Your child may then require more bespoke support to feel comfortable. In these cases Toothbeary offers intravenous sedation, a conscious sedation technique used if children can’t manage treatment with any other technique.

It is a safe, effective technique and Toothbeary has an experienced and fully certified sedation team.

Watch our sedation video

Children's dental sedation costs

To keep this treatment affordable, we ensure our prices are highly competitive compared to other specialist paediatric dentists in London, we even offer 0% Interest Free credit to help spread the cost.

Treatment Cost
IV sedation – short case
£870
IV sedation
£995 – £1,150

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Children's sedation team

Dr Will Botha

Sedation practitioner – GMC No 6082094

Our gentle & caring sedation team at Toothbeary is led by our sedation expert Dr Will Botha.

Will has over 17 years experience in medical sedation. Originally from South Africa, Will qualified as a medical doctor at the University Of Pretoria, South Africa in 2001. He moved to the United Kingdom in 2003 and has been involved in medical sedation since 2005.

Children's sedation review from Google My Business

“Absolutely recommended, Toothbeary is truly an exceptional clinic! From first interaction they were all professional, calm, friendly. Everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Our 2y old needed 4 crowns on his front top teeth, including a root canal, 2 fillings, and 2 fissure sealants. All done in 1 hour with IV conscious sedation. The team kept us informed at all times, and knew just how to keep us calm and reassured.

The little one recovered very quickly and his gums healed very nicely, his teeth look amazing! The principal dentist was very accommodating, answered all my questions, same as the anaesthetist. Truly a remarkable team!

Prices are very reasonable and appointments are made in a timely manner, leaving availability for an urgent call, when we needed reassurance. Toothbeary did for us what no other clinic could do, we are so very grateful to the entire team, highly recommend them to all our friends, and return for regular check ups to prevent any other issues in the future.”

Our leading and most trusted children’s referral practice in London

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Child and parent satisfaction is very important to us

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Paediatric IV Sedation FAQ's

Will my child be asleep during IV sedation?

No, your child will not be fully asleep during IV sedation. Instead, they will be in a deep state of relaxation, known as conscious sedation. This means they’ll remain awake and responsive, but will feel drowsy, calm, and less aware of the procedure taking place. Many children have little to no memory of the treatment afterwards, which helps reduce anxiety around future visits.

IV sedation is administered through a small cannula inserted into a vein, typically in the arm or hand, and the level of sedation is carefully adjusted and monitored throughout the procedure by a trained dental professional or anaesthetist. Your child’s vital signs—such as heart rate, oxygen levels, and breathing—are closely observed at all times to ensure maximum safety and comfort.

This form of sedation is particularly helpful for children who experience high levels of dental anxiety, require multiple or complex treatments, or have difficulty sitting still for extended periods. It offers a controlled, reliable way to make dental care stress-free and positive for both child and parent.

How long does IV sedation last in children?

The effects of IV sedation in children typically last for the duration of the dental procedure, which can range from 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on the complexity of the treatment. Once the procedure is complete, the sedative medication is stopped, and your child will gradually begin to wake up and regain full alertness.

However, it’s important to note that some drowsiness or grogginess may persist for several hours after the appointment. Most children recover within the same day but may need to rest quietly at home for the remainder of it. For this reason, it’s advised that your child avoids returning to school or engaging in physical activities immediately after sedation.

Before the procedure, your dental team will provide you with clear pre- and post-sedation instructions, including how to prepare, what to expect, and how to care for your child during their recovery period.

Does my child need to fast beforehand?

Yes, fasting is important before IV sedation to ensure your child’s safety during the procedure. Eating or drinking too close to the appointment can increase the risk of nausea, vomiting, or complications with breathing under sedation.

Typically, the guidelines are as follows:

  • No solid food or milk for at least 6 hours before the appointment.

  • Clear fluids (such as water) may be allowed up to 2 hours before the procedure, unless advised otherwise.

Your dental team will provide specific fasting instructions tailored to your child’s age, health, and appointment time. It’s very important to follow these guidelines exactly, as failure to do so may result in the need to reschedule the treatment for safety reasons.

If you’re unsure about what your child can or cannot have, don’t hesitate to contact the clinic for clarification.

Can I stay with my child during the sedation procedure?

In most cases, parents are welcome to stay with their child during the initial stages of the appointment, including the consultation and sedation preparation. This can help reassure younger children and create a more relaxed environment.

Positive Experience

Our unique approach to treating your child is designed around building trust and confidence through positive experiences so we can promote and reinforce good oral hygiene habits whilst instilling the need to care for their own teeth.

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