Sedation dentistry
Sedation dentistry in Vietnam for New Zealand patients
Sedation options at Picasso Dental Clinic for anxious NZ patients — what we offer, indicative NZD costs, honest guidance on who it's right for, and how to prepare.
Picasso Dental Clinic Vietnam offers local anaesthetic as standard and oral sedation for anxious patients at approximately NZD 50–100, compared with New Zealand private benchmarks of NZD 100–300 for oral sedation; patients with significant dental anxiety should discuss sedation requirements before booking to confirm the best approach for their planned treatment.
Dental anxiety is common and it is legitimate. Avoiding treatment because of fear leads to worse dental outcomes — problems that are manageable when caught early become complex and expensive when avoided for years. We treat anxious patients every day, and we have found that the right sedation approach, combined with the right clinical communication, makes treatment possible for people who thought they had run out of options.
This page explains what we offer, who it is appropriate for, how to prepare, and the practical questions around flying home after sedation.
Sedation options we offer
| Type | What it involves | Who it is for | Recovery before leaving clinic | Indicative NZD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local anaesthetic | Injection to numb the treatment site; standard for all procedures | All patients | None — you drive, travel normally | Included in procedure cost |
| Oral anxiolytic | Tablet taken 30–60 minutes before appointment; promotes relaxation while conscious | Mild to moderate dental anxiety | 1–2 hours until effects reduce | NZD 50–100 |
| IV conscious sedation | Administered via cannula; deeper relaxed state; patient responsive; limited recall of procedure | Moderate to severe anxiety; lengthy procedures; complex implant surgery | 1–2 hours; companion required | NZD 200–400 (confirm availability when booking) |
| General anaesthesia | Full unconsciousness; hospital theatre required | Not offered at Picasso | Not applicable | Not offered |
Most patients with dental anxiety are well managed with oral sedation. General anaesthesia for elective dental treatment is rarely necessary outside specific medical circumstances, and requires a hospital setting we do not operate.
Indicative sedation costs — May 2026
| Sedation type | Picasso indicative (NZD) | NZ indicative benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Local anaesthetic | Included | Included |
| Oral anxiolytic | NZD 50–100 | NZD 100–300 |
| IV conscious sedation | NZD 200–400 | NZD 500–1,000+ |
All conversions use 1 NZD = 15,000 VND. Indicative figures are confirmed at time of treatment planning. IV sedation availability should be confirmed at time of booking.
For a written estimate including sedation: request a free quote or see full pricing.
Who is sedation right for?
Sedation is appropriate when anxiety is a genuine barrier to receiving dental care. Indicators include:
- Needle phobia — significant distress at the prospect of local anaesthetic injection
- Pronounced gag reflex — difficulty tolerating intra-oral instruments or impressions
- Previous traumatic dental experiences — avoidance behaviours rooted in past treatment
- Inability to remain still or keep mouth open — anxiety manifesting as physical tension
- Multiple procedures in one session — long appointments that benefit from an anxiolytic
- Complex surgical procedures — extended implant surgery, multiple extractions, or bone grafting
Mild nervousness is not the same as clinical dental anxiety. If you are simply apprehensive about an appointment, thorough pre-procedure explanation and good communication is usually sufficient. If anxiety has prevented you from attending a dentist for years, sedation is worth discussing.
Oral vs IV sedation — what is the difference?
Oral sedation involves taking an anxiolytic tablet — typically a benzodiazepine — approximately 30 to 60 minutes before your appointment. It reduces anxiety and produces a calm, relaxed state. You remain conscious and responsive throughout, and can follow instructions from the clinical team. The medication will begin to wear off within a few hours. Most patients feel drowsy for 2–4 hours afterward and should not drive.
IV conscious sedation is administered through a small cannula placed in the arm. The effect is deeper — patients are in a sedated state, responsive to voice but with greatly reduced recall of the procedure. This is appropriate for patients with severe anxiety or for lengthy surgical appointments. Recovery takes 1–2 hours in the clinic. You will need a companion to accompany you back to your accommodation, and you should not fly on the same day.
The right choice depends on your anxiety level and the procedure planned. Discuss this with us before booking.
Preparing for a sedation appointment
For oral sedation:
- Take the prescribed tablet at the time specified — usually 30–60 minutes before your appointment
- Avoid alcohol the evening before
- Arrange transport to and from the clinic — do not drive after taking anxiolytic medication
- A light meal is acceptable unless otherwise instructed
For IV sedation:
- No food or drink for at least 6 hours before the appointment
- Wear comfortable, loose clothing with a short sleeve or rolled sleeve on the arm where the cannula will be placed
- Bring a companion who will stay with you during recovery and accompany you back to your accommodation
- Disclose all medications and supplements — particularly blood thinners, CNS medications, antidepressants, and herbal preparations
Dental anxiety and the overseas treatment decision
Many anxious patients find that treatment overseas is a different experience from what they have encountered in New Zealand. Several factors contribute to this.
Appointments at Picasso are not time-pressured in the way that high-volume practices can be. There is no waiting room anxiety from rushed scheduling. The clinical team works regularly with international patients who need time for explanation and reassurance. The clinical environment is calm and unhurried.
This does not mean overseas treatment removes all anxiety — but many patients who have avoided the dentist for years in New Zealand report that the experience at Picasso was more manageable than they expected. We are not the right choice for every anxious patient, and we will tell you honestly if your level of anxiety or medical complexity means you should be managed closer to home.
Reading patient reviews and the Is it safe? page before booking gives useful context.
Flying home after sedation
After oral sedation: Once the anxiolytic effects have worn off — typically 4 to 6 hours after the tablet is taken — flying is acceptable for most patients. Do not fly while still feeling sedated or drowsy.
After IV sedation: We recommend remaining in Hanoi for at least 12 to 24 hours before flying. Book accommodation for the night following any IV sedation appointment. Sedation combined with the dehydration and low-pressure cabin environment of a long-haul flight is not a comfortable or safe combination.
If your procedure also involves bone grafting or a sinus lift, the post-operative rest requirement for those procedures (typically 5–7 days in Hanoi before flying) governs your return date, not the sedation.
What to disclose when you contact us
To recommend the right sedation approach for your planned treatment, we need to know:
- Your anxiety level — mild, moderate, or severe — and what specifically triggers it
- Any previous adverse reactions to sedation or anaesthetic agents
- Your full medication list, including supplements and over-the-counter medications
- Any known drug allergies
- Any respiratory conditions, sleep apnoea, or relevant medical history
- The procedure planned (or your best description of what needs doing)
Contact us at [email protected]. Providing this information upfront means we can confirm the appropriate sedation approach before your trip rather than on arrival.
Next step
Request a free NZD quote · Is it safe? · Dental implants · Full pricing
About this page
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Emily Nguyen
Founding Clinical Director, Picasso Dental Clinic
DDS · Founder and Clinical Director, Picasso Dental Clinic group
Clinical focus: Cosmetic dentistry · Veneers · Smile design
Dr. Emily Nguyen founded Picasso Dental Clinic in 2013 (originally Serenity International Dental Clinic) and led its 2023 rebrand. She sets clinical standards across the group's six branches in Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Lat, and personally reviews cosmetic protocols including the Portrait Sitting workflow for veneers and smile makeovers.
Frequently asked questions
What sedation options does Picasso Dental Clinic offer?
We offer local anaesthetic as standard for all procedures, and oral anxiolytic sedation (a medication taken before the appointment) for patients with dental anxiety. IV conscious sedation may be available — confirm availability when booking. General anaesthesia is not offered at Picasso as it requires a hospital theatre setting. Most anxious patients are well managed with oral sedation combined with thorough pre-procedure explanation and a considered clinical approach.
What is the difference between oral sedation and IV sedation?
Oral sedation involves taking an anxiolytic tablet approximately 30–60 minutes before the appointment. It reduces anxiety and promotes relaxation while you remain conscious and responsive. IV conscious sedation is administered through a cannula and produces a deeper sedated state; most patients have little memory of the procedure. IV sedation has a 1–2 hour recovery period before you can leave the clinic and requires a companion to accompany you.
How much does sedation cost at Picasso in NZD?
As of May 2026, local anaesthetic is included in the procedure cost. Oral anxiolytic sedation is approximately NZD 50–100 indicative. IV conscious sedation is approximately NZD 200–400 indicative where available. All figures use 1 NZD = 15,000 VND. Exact costs are confirmed at the time of treatment planning.
How much does sedation cost in New Zealand?
Indicative New Zealand private benchmarks: oral sedation NZD 100–300; IV conscious sedation NZD 500–1,000 or more depending on the procedure length and clinician. These are indicative planning ranges only.
Who is sedation right for?
Sedation is appropriate for patients with needle phobia, significant gag reflex, a history of traumatic dental experiences, anxiety that prevents relaxed mouth opening, multiple procedures planned in a single session, or complex implant surgery. Mild dental nervousness is common and generally managed well with local anaesthetic and good communication — sedation is for patients whose anxiety is a genuine barrier to treatment.
Can I fly home on the same day as a sedation appointment?
After oral sedation, flying the same day is generally acceptable once the effects have worn off — typically 4–6 hours. After IV sedation, we recommend remaining in Hanoi for at least 12–24 hours and avoiding flying while you are still sedated or fatigued. Plan accommodation in Hanoi for the night following any IV sedation appointment.
What medications and allergies do I need to disclose before sedation?
Disclose all medications, including over-the-counter supplements, before any sedation appointment. Sedation interactions can occur with blood thinners, CNS medications, antidepressants, antihypertensives, and certain herbal preparations. Also disclose any known drug allergies, previous adverse reactions to sedation or anaesthetic agents, and any history of respiratory problems. This information is collected at the time of booking, not on arrival.