By Tamara K Robison, DDS, MBA, PA, Board Certified Pediatric Dentist – Naples and Marco Island
Has your children’s dentist informed you that your child’s extensive dental needs will require some sort of sedation or anesthesia? If a child suffers from severe anxiety or has special health care needs, these services are provided to allow the safe delivery of high quality dentistry. Medications given in the dental office for mild conscious sedation enables your child to relax and become a bit sleepy, allowing them to have an anxious-free dental visit. The child will be able to respond to those around him and will maintain all of their protective airway reflexes.
Children with severe anxiety may need to use stronger medicines to achieve a deeper level of sedation in order to allow for their dental work to be completed. In this case, deep sedation or general anesthesia may be provided in the dentist’s office. A dentist may recommend deep sedation or general anesthesia in the following cases:
• Your child suffers such severe anxiety that even with conscious sedation; they cannot calm down enough to have work completed safely.
• Your child requires oral surgery or other treatment that would be difficult for the child to tolerate while awake.
• Your child requires extensive work that will take a long time, but would be best to accomplish in one appointment.
• Your child has a disability that prevents him or her from clearly understand directions or be treated safely.
The pediatric dentist will provide the dentistry and work with a medical anesthesiologist or a dentist who has completed an advanced anesthesiology program beyond their pediatric residency. The pediatric dentist who is providing these services in the dental office setting is responsible for the evaluation of the professional and educational qualifications of the general anesthesia or deep sedation provider. The office in which these services are provided also has to meet local, state, and federal rules and regulations. A permit will be supplied by the state authorities confirming that the facility has passed a physical inspection. The inspection will confirm that all necessary emergency supplies are available and that the guidelines for monitoring and management of patients during and after the sedation are being followed. The protection and safety of the patient are paramount. The regulations, inspections, and permits help ensure the safe delivery of these services.
The use of deep sedation and general anesthesia does have some risks and the providers need to carefully explain the risks and benefits. Parents also have responsibility to follow all instructions regarding not eating before the procedure and careful observation of the patient after the appointment.
The American Dental Association has a list of questions parents should ask their dental care provider prior to their child receiving sedation or anesthesia. They include:
• Who will complete the evaluation prior to the procedure that will include past medical history?
• How long should my child be without food or drink prior to the procedure?
• Will sedation be administered at home prior to the appointment? If so, what type of monitoring is required?
• What is the training and experience of the person giving the sedation or anesthesia to my child?
• Is the entire staff up to date on emergency resuscitation procedures?
• What level of sedation will be given to my child and what side effects can we expect from it?
• How will my child be monitored before, during and after the procedure?
• What are my instructions for caring for my child once we are released to home?
Anesthesia and conscious sedation are valuable tools for pediatric dentists to safely perform needed procedures on children who are nervous or who require extensive work. As with anything else, parents should be well-researched and prepared for their child’s visit. By working together with the dentist, they can ensure their child has a safe and successful dental appointment.
Cosmic Smiles For Kids – Naples Location
15495 Tamiami Trail N. • Suite #125 • Naples, FL 34110
239-263-4517
Cosmic Smiles For Kids – Marco Island Location
989 Collier Blvd. N. • Marco Island, FL 34145
239-394-2270