Sedation Instructions (Before And After)

INSTRUCTIONS TO PARENTS OF PATIENTS WHO ARE TO RECEIVE

CONSCIOUS SEDATION FOR DENTAL TREATMENT

It is important for your child's safety that you follow these instructions.

Eating and Drinking

To avoid vomiting and potentially life-threatening complications during treatment, DO NOT ALLOW YOUR CHILD TO HAVE ANYTHING TO EAT OR DRINK (EVEN WATER) AFTER MIDNIGHT.

Change in Health

Any change in the child's health, especially the development of a cold or fever within seven (7) days prior to the day of the treatment is very important. For your child's safety, please inform this office of any change in health prior to your appointment. A new appointment may have to be made for another day.

Arriving

It is requested that a legal guardian accompany the patient and remain until the child is ready to leave. Plan to arrive one hour prior to the scheduled appointment (unless instructed otherwise), as this is the time required for many medications to become most effective. You will be asked to administer the prescribed medications in our office and NOT AT HOME.

Medications

Give your child only those medications that he/she takes routinely, such as seizure medications or prophylactic antibiotics, and those prescribed by your child's dentist. DO NOT give your child any other medications before or after the treatment, without checking with your dentist.

Activities

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

Getting Home

Someone should be available to drive the patient home. The child should be closely watched for signs of breathing difficulty and carefully secured in a car seat or seat belt during transportation with the head in an upright position (the head SHOULD NOT be allowed to slump down with the chin touching the chest).

Drinking or Eating After Treatment

Clear liquids are preferred soon after treatment. Small drinks taken repeatedly are preferable to drinking large amounts. A light meal of soft food can be eaten one hour after treatment. If your child has had his/her teeth numbed, you must watch him/her to make sure that they do not chew or scratch parts of their mouth or face that are numb. It is best to wait until the numbness is worn off before chewing food.

POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOWING CONSCIOUS SEDATION

1. Your child may be drowsy and uncoordinated in their movements. Thus, you must either carry them or hold their hand when they walk. Always assist them in their movements after treatment with sedation.

2. Your child may be drowsy for several hours after their appointment. They should always be able to be aroused. If not, call us immediately or seek emergency medical c are.

3. We would like you to keep your child awake for at least one hour after treatment, although a longer period would be even better.

4. Avoid letting your child sleep in the car. If this is difficult, make sure that the head remains upright. Breathing is made more difficult if the child's chin is resting near his/ her chest.

5. DO NOT let your child play unassisted or unattended for several hours after the appointment. You must watch them, and they must remain in the care of a responsible adult.

6. You should give your child clear liquids soon after the appointment. Small sips are preferable, because some medications can cause upset stomach. You may give your child a light meal 1-2 hours after the treatment, however chewing should be avoided until after the numbness has worn off from the tongue and cheeks.

7. DO NOT let your child chew on his/her tongue or lip. These tissues may be asleep or numb. Children can do substantial damage to themselves in a short period of time.

8. If your child vomits, clean out his/her mouth so that breathing is not hindered. If vomiting persists beyond four hours, call our office or seek emergency medical care.

9. You may give your child some Children's Tylenol or Children's Motrin when you get home, unless your doctor has prescribed another medication. Do not combine Tylenol with other pain medications, unless you talk to your doctor first. Follow all medication instructions closely.

10. If YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL US.