Instructions For Moderate Sedation

Your safety/the safety of your child is the utmost importance to us. In order to provide you/your child with a safe and effective oral surgery experience, please read and carefully follow all instructions below BEFORE treatment is to be performed. Please be prepared to stay as long as necessary to complete the procedure and please be on time to your appointment. We will do our best to make your stay as comfortable as possible during that time and we thank you in advance for your understanding. If the patient is on any medications of any kind, please call and consult with the dentist prior to the day of the appointment.

It is very important that you arrive on time to your appointment. The scheduled time includes the time required for the sedation medication to take effect. A calm, orderly day would provide the best chance for quality sedation. Any rushing, either by you or us would jeopardize the chance of success.

You, as patient or parent/legal guardian, play a key role in your/your child's dental care. Children often perceive a parent's anxiety which makes them more fearful. They tolerate procedures best when their parents understand what to expect and are calm and confident. If you have any questions about the sedation process, please ask; we are happy to answer any questions that you may have. As you become more calm and confident about dentistry, so will your child. 

Therefore, in the interest of providing you the best dental care possible, we have provided you with some instructions prior to your/your child's dental treatment appointment.

Please notify our office of any change in your/your child's health and/or medical condition. Fever, ear infection, nasal or chest congestion, or recent head trauma could place you/your child at increased risk for complications. Should you/your child become ill just prior to an oral surgery appointment, contact our office to see if it is necessary to postpone the procedure.

Tell us about any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications you/your child is taking and report any allergies or reactions to medications that you/your child has experienced. Check with us to see if routine medications should be taken the day of the sedation. Once again, if the patient is on any medications of any kind, please consult with the dentist prior to the appointment.

Food and liquids must be restricted in the hours prior to sedation. Please ensure that the patient has not eaten or had anything to drink after midnight on the day before treatment. However, if you are given an afternoon appointment for any reason, please keep in mind that the patient may not eat or drink for six (6) hours prior to taking the medication. In particular, please refrain from eating or giving your child any sodas, candies, or other foods with high sugar content. Fasting decreases the risk of vomiting and aspirating stomach contents into the lungs, a potentially life-threatening problem. Fasting will also help make the sedation medication more effective on the appointment day. We will not proceed with the sedation if you do not comply with the following requirements. Let everyone in the home know about the fasting requirements, because siblings and others may unknowingly feed the child. Remember, the minimum time you/your child should fast prior to his or her appointment is six (6) hours. The last meal before the appointment should be light. Fried foods, fatty foods, and meat should be avoided. Clear liquids should be avoided two hours prior to the appointment.

Dress yourself/your child in loose fitting, comfortable clothing. Please no jewelry, hair accessories, or nail polish. However, you may bring any stuffed animal or toy that will help to comfort and soothe the child. This will allow us to place monitors that evaluate your/your child's response to the medications and help ensure your/your child's safety. These monitors may measure effects on your/your child's breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

On the night before the appointment, try to keep the child as calm and restful as possible. Try not to bring other children to this appointment so you can focus your attention on your child undergoing the sedation.

You may not leave the building while the child is sedated and you must accompany them to the restroom if it becomes necessary for them to use the facilities. Please use positive reinforcement techniques if the child asks you questions about the procedure. Just remember that our team deals with children of every age, personality, experience level, and treatment condition. We will take great care of your child during this procedure.

Once the procedure is complete, you will receive a take home Post-Sedation Instruction sheet to make sure you have all the
 information needed. Please read the instructions carefully and feel free to call us if you have any questions or concerns.