Instructions to Parents of children who are to undergo sedation for dental treatment

Eating and Drinking before treatment:

To avoid vomiting and complications during treatment, DO NOT allow your child any food or drink (even water) after midnight prior to the day of the appointment.

Change in Health:

Any development of illness, especially cold or fever within 7 days prior to the treatment day should be consulted with us as soon as possible. For the child’s safety most likely an appointment will be made for another day.

Arriving:

You will be scheduled to arrive one hour before the treatment time. The sedation will be given in our office after careful assessment of your child. Your child will then wait 1 hour for the medications to work before treatment. If you arrive late, there might not be adequate time for the appointment and you might have to be rescheduled. A responsible adult must be present in the waiting area at all times during the sedation appointment.

Monitoring:

After sedation has been given, your child will wait in the waiting room until he or she is ready for treatment in one hour. At that time, a responsible adult must continuously check the child’s alertness, responsiveness, breathing, and skin color. Notify the doctor or staff member if you notice any changes.

Medications:

Give your child only those medications that he or she takes routinely, such as seizure medications, prophylactic antibiotic, and those prescribed by your child’s physician. DO NOT give your child any other medicines, before or after treatment, without checking with this office.

Activities:

DO NOT plan activities for the child after treatment. Allow the child to rest. Closely supervise any activity for the remainder of the day.

Getting Home:

The patient must be accompanied by a responsible adult. The child should be closely watched for signs of breathing difficulty and carefully secured in the car seat or seat belt during transportation.

Eating and Drinking after treatment:

After treatment, the first drink should be plain water. Sweet drinks can be given next (clear fruit juice or Gatorade). Small drinks taken repeatedly are preferable to taking large amounts. Soft food, not too hot, may be taken when desired.

Numbness of Cheeks, Lips, and Tongue:

Your child’s cheeks, lips, and tongue may be numb after treatment. Please watch your child carefully for several hours to make sure he or she does not bite the cheeks, lips or tongue.

Temperature Elevation:

The child’s temperature may be elevated to 101°F (38°C) for the first 24 hours after treatment. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 3-4 hours and fluids will help alleviate this condition. Should your child’s temperature rise above 101°F (38°C), please call our office.

SEEK ADVICE AND CALL OUR OFFICE OR THE PEDIATRICIAN IF:

1. If vomiting lasts longer than 4 hours.
2. If the temperature remains elevated longer than 24 hours.
3. If there is any difficulty breathing.
4. If any other matter causes you concern.

PLEASE CALL THE FOLLOWING NUMBER IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS OR QUESTIONS RELATING TO YOUR CHILD’S TREATMENT: 713-461-1509