DENTAL experts in the region have developed a revolutionary method of sedating frightened patients.

They believe the approach could relieve pressure on hospitals and allow patients to avoid potentially risky general anaesthetics.

Clinical trials were carried out on more than 600 children, who would usually attend hospital for a general anaesthetic for dental treatment. The new procedure was successful in 93 per cent of cases.

Newcastle University researchers carried out the Government-funded study at the Queensway Anxiety Management Clinic, in Billingham, Teesside.

They say the dental service should be reformed so alternatives to hospital procedures can be offered in specialist practices like Queensway.

The results, published in academic journal Anaesthesia, showed that giving patients the sedative midazolam and two gases with normal local anaesthetic, was a viable alternative to using general anaesthetic.

The children, whose condition or anxiety was too severe to be treated using conventional techniques, felt no pain under sedation. Although they were conscious throughout, they did not remember their treatment afterwards.

Because they were sedated in a dentist's chair, the procedure could reduce hospital waiting lists and free up beds.

Government ministers banned dental surgeries from using general anaesthetic during treatment in 2002, after several patients died.

The Newcastle trials tested three new sedative procedures on children who had been referred to Queensway Anxiety Management Clinic.

In the group given a combination of nitrous oxide and sevoflurane and intravenous midazolam by a consultant anaesthetist, 249 out of 267 children, 93 per cent, completed their treatment.

Among them was Taylor Mendoza, five, of Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, who had been scared of going to the dentist.

Her father, Dave, said: "She came out very proud of herself and smiling as if nothing had happened. We're very happy with the outcome."

Dr Paul Averley, principal dentist at Queensway, who collaborated with Newcastle University, said: "Dentists are often suspicious about procedures that involve sedating children with intravenous agents like midazolam.

"However, we showed that it worked very effectively when combined with inhalation agents and we saw no adverse reactions.

"The children were treated by a highly-trained team, which included a consultant anaesthetist, and they also had the benefit of shorter waiting times and treatment in familiar surroundings."

He said health authorities could consider setting up specialist services and training programmes for staff.

Dr Nick Girdler, head of the sedation department at Newcastle Dental Hospital and School, said: "These results are very exciting. The technique gives real hope to children who are too scared to have teeth extracted or filled using standard sedation techniques."

He said it was hoped the study would give families more choice, especially if other specialist dental clinics, with appropriate anaesthetic support, could be set up.