Sedation dentistry in London

Treatment for nervous patients, with sedation given by breathing in a gas or through a vein.

  • 870 Verified practices
  • £245-£380 Typical "from" price (215 practices' published fees)
  • 33 Borough guides

If you are very nervous about the dentist, you are not alone. In the 2009 Adult Dental Health Survey, which covered England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 12% of adults had extreme dental anxiety. That is about 1 in 8. Many London practices offer sedation to help.

Types of sedation

  • Inhalation sedation. You breathe nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) through a small nose mask. You stay awake and relaxed. The effect wears off quickly.
  • IV sedation. The dentist gives a sedative through a needle in your hand or arm. You stay conscious and can respond, but you feel very relaxed. Many people remember little of the treatment afterwards. You need an adult to take you home, and you must not drive for 24 hours.
  • General anaesthetic. You are fully asleep. In the UK this is only done in a hospital, for specific cases.

What sedation costs in London

Sedation is usually charged on top of the treatment itself. The London median published starting price for sedation is £300. Half of all practices start between £245 and £380. The price depends on the type of sedation and how long the appointment is. Ask whether the price is per appointment.

On the NHS, sedation is available in some cases. It is usually for very anxious patients or complex treatment, and often needs a referral from your dentist.

For every treatment price in one place, see our London dental price list or our guide to how much a dentist costs in London.

Before you book

Call the practice and tell them you are nervous. A good practice will take this seriously. They should talk you through your options before you book any treatment. Many nervous patients find it helps to agree a stop signal with the dentist, such as raising a hand.

If you are going back after a long gap, start with a dental check-up. If you are in pain and need help quickly, see emergency dentists in London.

Browse dentists by area: North London, South London, East London, West London and Central London.

Written and reviewed by the Dentist-London.com Editorial team. Last reviewed 6 October 2026. Prices are advertised starting prices, not quotes. Confirm the cost with the practice. This is general information and does not replace advice from a dentist about your own teeth.

870 of London's 2,128 CQC-registered practices are verified for sedation dentistry, taken directly from each practice's own published treatment list, not guessed from directory categories. 215 practices publish a price for it. Half of those start between £245 and £380.

What sedation dentistry costs across London

The table shows the median published "from" price in each borough. The prices come from practices' own fee pages. The London median is £300.

The cheapest borough we can price is Hackney at £180. The most expensive is Richmond upon Thames at £430. That is a difference of £250 for the same treatment.

BoroughMedian "from" pricePractices
Hackney £180 5
Southwark £200 6
Tower Hamlets £200 5
Wandsworth £240 10
Harrow £250 10
Lewisham £250 9
Haringey £250 8
Kingston upon Thames £265 8
Sutton £275 6
Barnet £300 11
Bromley £300 9
Greenwich £320 11
Enfield £325 8
Westminster £350 15
Camden £350 9
Havering £350 9
Brent £350 6
Waltham Forest £350 5
Hammersmith and Fulham £380 9
Croydon £400 9
Kensington and Chelsea £400 8
Richmond upon Thames £430 8

Boroughs appear here only where at least 5 practices publish a price. The practice count shows how firm each figure is. These are advertised starting prices, not quotes: confirm the full cost with the practice. Same method as our London Dental Cost Index, and every treatment side by side on the dental price list.

Highly rated practices offering sedation dentistry

Ratings via Google (practices with 10+ reviews). Treatment lists verified from each practice's own website.

Sedation dentistry by London borough

Find a dentist by borough

Sedation dentistry: frequently asked questions

How much does sedation dentistry cost in London?

Sedation is usually charged on top of the treatment. The London median published starting price is £300. Half of all practices start between £245 and £380. The price depends on the type of sedation and the length of the appointment.

Is sedation dentistry available on the NHS?

In some cases. NHS sedation is usually for very anxious patients or complex treatment, and often needs a referral from your dentist. Many private practices also offer it.

Is sedation dentistry safe?

Yes, when trained staff give it and monitor you throughout. Your dentist will check your medical history first. After IV sedation you need an adult to take you home, and you must not drive for 24 hours.

Will I be asleep during sedation?

No. Most dental sedation keeps you awake, very relaxed and able to respond. General anaesthetic, where you are fully asleep, is only given in hospital for specific cases.