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If we have recommended sedation for your child's dental appointment, the purpose is to attempt to make your child more relaxed and less aware of the procedures. A staff member or the doctor will instruct you on how and when to give the medication.
Some youngsters are very calm and comfortable during the procedures. Other children remain quite upset even though adequate amounts of sedation (medication), nitrous oxide (laughing gas), and local anesthetic (lidocaine) have been used. For children who move their hands and legs a great deal, we may have to use a special wrap to keep them from injuring themselves.
Food or drink taken within two (2) hours before the dental appointment should be simple and light. An example would be clear juice (apple), toast, jello, or plain noodles.
Since we allow an extended period of time in our schedule for these special procedures, it is extremely important that you are on time for your appointment.
Please let the doctor or a staff member know if you have any questions or concerns about your child's treatment prior to scheduling his/her treatment visit.
If we have recommended a sedation for your child's dental appointment, the purpose is to attempt to make your child more relaxed and less aware of the procedures.
Some children are very calm and comfortable during the procedures. Others remain quite upset even though adequate amounts of sedation (medication), nitrous oxide (laughing gas), and local anesthetic (lidocaine) have been used. For children who move their hands and legs a great deal, we may have to use a special wrap, called a blanket board, to keep them from injuring themselves. This often helps the child to feel secure and warm and enables them to rest better.
If you child is being orally sedated, you will give her/him a combination of Noctec (chloral hydrate), Vistaril, and Demerol in a liquid solution. These are sedative hypnotics, that will help your child to relax. Some of the adverse side effects may be respiratory depression, vomiting, or in some instances your child could have an atypical response.
If you child is being sedated by oral injection, or if additional medications are being given, he/she will receive an injection of Demerol and Versed. These are also sedative hypnotics, with the same possible adverse side effects which are listed above.
Our other alternative for treatment would be an IV sedation with our Dental Anesthesiologist. This is usually chosen when a sedation is unsuccessful, for an older child with extensive work, or for a handicapped patient.
It is important that you bring your child to our office with an empty stomach. No food or drinks should be taken for at least four (4) hours before the dental appointment because the medication upsets the stomach.
Please allow yourself one to two hours beyond the actual treatment time for the visit to our office.
Since we allow an extended period of time in our schedule for these special procedures, it is extremely important that you are on time for your appointment. If you do not come in as scheduled, we will not be able to give you another appointment for a few months.
- After the procedure, your child will be drowsy and may not have a sense of balance. Please assist your child while in the office and at home. Use a car seat or seat belt when transporting your child.
- Make sure to give your child plenty of liquid throughout the day, such as juices, water and popsicles. If your child sleeps throughout the day, make sure to wake him/her every hour to give them something to drink. If you don't replenish the fluids, they can become very ill and dehydrated.
- Some children will become nauseous from the medication. Don't be alarmed, this is normal. If this occurs, replenish the fluids with juices or some other type of liquid.
- Your child may eat when he/she is ready. Keep your child on a soft diet for today only. The following day, your child should be back to a normal diet.
- If you child has had crowns done today, it's important to keep their gums very clean. Please assist them in brushing for the next week. Bleeding may occur for up to two weeks. Don't stop brushing, this is normal.
- Most children do not like the way they are feeling after being medicated. This can cause a change in their behavior. Don't be alarmed by this behavior, this is a very normal reaction.
- Your child's mouth will be numb for 2 or 3 hours after the procedure. He/she should not be in any discomfort during that time. We ask that you do not give your child any more pain medication today. The medication your child had should relive pain for up to 12 hours.
- If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call our office at 774-0770 or if we are not in, feel free to call Dr. Hibbert at home at 295-3452.
2112 N. Hillfield Rd., Suite #1 Layton, UT 84041 (801) 774-0770
dr-dale@aros.net
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