When it comes to any type of medical or dental procedure, we can’t take anything for granted. This is especially true when it comes to our children. “Children at a very young age, if they do require a lot of work, you can only imagine they are not going to lay down on the chair,” Dr. Robert Delarosa, president of the AAPD and a dentist in private practice in Baton Rouge told the TODAY Show. “Dentistry is not the most innocuous stimulus and a very, very young child has to be made as comfortable as possible. So it’s not uncommon for children to undergo anesthesia.”
If you are considering having IV sedation for your child’s next dental appointment, the Today Show suggest asking a few questions.
Will there be a separate provider for general anesthesia in the room? “I would insist on a separate qualified anesthesia professional looking after my child,” Sibert advised.
How much experience does this person have caring for kids my child’s age?
How will my child be monitored during the procedure? Be sure there will be vigilant monitoring. Ask if the office has EKG, blood pressure, pulse oximetry and end tidal carbon dioxide monitors, Rafetto said.
Who is going to be in the room if something goes wrong? The staff should be prepared to recognize and respond to crisis situations. It also is appropriate to ask about the office’s safety record, he added.
Are you going to use a Papoose Board — a temporary restraint?
What kind of recovery setup do you have?
IV sedation may become more challenged with special needs patients, seniors, children, and those with health complexities. Each person has a unique response to medication used for sedation.
How Can I Find a Dentist Who Has IV Sedation?
Since it takes the necessary training and equipment, nurse anesthesiologist are not typically in a particular dental office. Instead a nurse anesthesiologist goes to a dental office, bringing hospital-level sedation to your dentist’s office.
IV sedation has helped many adults and children get the dental care they need. If you or a loved one has avoided going to the dentist in a while because of fear, anxiety, or special needs, isn’t time you got back on track.
Make your next dental appointment a positive experience. Because a beautiful, healthy smile shouldn’t be anything to be anxious about. Contact Blue Sky Anesthesia Associates for more information.
