Queensway Announces a New Partnership

Queensway Dental Clinic has announced a new partnership with the University Hospital of Hartlepool. This means that the clinic can provide a new general anaesthetic service for adults who have a severe phobia of visiting the dentist. This new service is thought to be a first for the north east.

Whilst approximately one in four members of the public suffer from Odontophobia – dental fear – only five per cent of the population suffer from what is classified as a ‘severe dental fear’, which typically prevents the patient from visiting their dentist and undergoing dental treatments. In a bid to tackle this issue, Queensway Dental Clinic has partnered with the University Hospital of Hartlepool to provide – for adult patients on a private basis only – a general anaesthetic* service.

Managing Partner, Dr. Paul Averley, Queensway Dental Clinic, explains the reasons behind the new service: “For the treatment of a vast majority of adult patients at Queensway who may be anxious or nervous about a dental procedure, we have a full range of facilities on hand, together with thoroughly qualified staff members who are able to assess a patient’s needs, treating them on-site with whichever service is deemed most appropriate, such as conscious sedation*. However, there are a small number of people whose phobia of the dentist is so severe that they haven’t attended check-ups or had dental issues tended to for many years, sometimes even decades, which has resulted in substantial oral health issues. It is for these patients, whereby all other pain and anxiety control methods, have been exhausted, that we have introduced the general anaesthetic service.

“Prior to the introduction of our new service there was almost no provision in place in the north east for adults suffering from very severe dental fears. We are delighted that by working with the University Hospital of Hartlepool, we are now able to help these adults.”

Adult patients wanting to undergo dental treatment with the support of general anaesthetic on a private basis, will attend an initial assessment conducted by Dr. Paul Averley at Queensway Dental Clinic, who will ensure that all patients put forward for general anaesthetic have a genuine oral health needs and severe anxiety issues which cannot be met using other methods, such as conscious sedation. At the assessment visit he will weigh up the risks with the benefits, working closely with the patient to help them make a balanced decision for the overall good of their oral health.

If you would like to have an initial assessment with Dr Paul Averley about your suitability for general anaesthetic, please contact Queensway Dental Clinic by calling 01642 554667 or emailing reception@queensway.co.uk.

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