Relative Analgesia (RA) is intended to help anxious patients, primarily children, have dental treatment. It is a method of relaxing an anxious child enough to enable them to have dental treatment. It works by giving nitrous oxide and oxygen (gas and air or laughing gas) to the child via a mask over their nose. This is in place for the whole treatment and will be removed when the treatment is complete. The patient is never asleep at any stage and this makes RA a very safe procedure. The child is fully recovered within 5 minutes of removal of the RA but should be kept at home and supervised for the rest of the day.

RA is successful for a lot of children, but if their fear of dentistry is too great it may not help and so, the child will need to be referred to hospital for treatment. The hospital may first introduce your child to the “laughing gas” without any treatment. This will increase their confidence and will go a long way to making their future treatment enjoyable and successful.

Pre and Post-operative RA Instructions.

1. Give your dentist a full medical history at the check up visit.  You will need to have a full list of current medication with you.  If the medical history changes between check up and RA appointment you must inform the dentist.
2. Always take your medication as normal unless otherwise instructed by your dentist.
3. Have a light snack at least one hour before your appointment.
4. Children must be accompanied by an adult (pregnant women are not suitable escorts as their unborn baby could be affected by the RA gases) and supervised at home for the rest of the day.
5. Adults who wish to have RA are advised to have an escort with them although this is not essential
6. Patients must be able to breathe through their nose for RA to be successful.
7. Patients with blocked noses cannot be treated on the day of their appointment.
8. If you have any questions please contact the practice on 0191 5672604.