Children's Dentistry
Pediatric Dentistry
650 North Miller, Wenatchee, WA 98801
509-662-3621

Dentistry

Sedation Pre-Post Operative Instructions

Reason for sedation

We have recommended sedation for your child’s safety and comfort during dental procedures. Sedation also increases cooperation and reduces anxiety.

Medical Clearance and Scheduling

It is necessary to receive a written medical approval from your child’s physician before scheduling the oral sedation appointment.

Hugger

During your child’s sedation, it may be necessary to wrap your child in a protective “hugger” to assure his or her safety.

May I accompany my child?

During sedation dental treatment, parents are to remain in the greeting area.  This allows us to give your child 100% of our undivided attention.

Medications/Monitoring equipment

  1. Your child will be closely monitored with medial equipment during the sedation appointment.
  2. Various medications can be used to sedate a child; medicines will be selected based upon your child’s overall health, level of anxiety, and dental treatment recommendations. One or more of the following medications may be used:
    • Versed- anti-anxiety and sedative affect, for short amount of treatment.
    • Triazolam- anti-anxiety and sedative affect
    • Hydroxyzine- anti-anxiety and anti-nausea affect

Will my child sleep or will my child cry?

Most children become relaxed and/or drowsy and may drift into a light sleep from which they can be aroused easy. Unlike general anesthesia, sedation is not intended to make a patient unconscious or unresponsive. Some children may not experience relaxation but an opposite reaction such as agitation or crying.

Risks

Complications are rare but there are risks associated with any sedation procedure. The possible risks are damage to vital organs, such as the brain, heart, lung, liver and kidney, and that in some cases may result in paralysis, cardiac arrest and/or death.

Sedation Appointment Commitment

We have reserved a particular time, extra team members, a private room and special monitoring equipment for your child’s treatment. Please be on time. If you cannot keep your appointment, call us at least 48 hours in advance. If you are unable to call our office during business hours, please leave a message and call back when we are open. Messages are not accepted as cancellations, verbal contact with an employee must be made. Missed appointments or late cancellations may not be rescheduled.

Before the Appointment

  1. Your child should not have any food or liquids after midnight the night before the appointment. IF YOUR CHILD DOES EAT BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT, IT WILL BE CANCELLED.
  2. If your child develops flu or cold symptoms 48 hours prior to the appointment, inform us immediately.

During the Appointment

  1. You must remain in the building for the duration of your child’s appointment.

After the Appointment

  1. We recommend that you and one other adult accompany the child to their appointment so that one adult can supervise the child during the drive home. If you are absolutely unable to do this, please inform our staff.
  2. After the appointment, your child should be under adult supervision for 12 hours and not be allowed to:
    • Travel unrestrained in a vehicle.
    • Play near streets, stairways or other areas where injury can occur.
    • Go to school or daycare.
  3. Your child may remain sleepy for a time after the appointment. It will take between 2 to 8 hours for the medications to metabolize and leave the body. A quiet low activity day is best.
  4. We will give you additional post-operative instructions the day of your visit.

SHOULD ANY SITUATION ARISE PLEASE CALL US AT 509-662-3621 OR DR. CARA AT 509-741-0544