Oral Conscious Sedation

Dental treatment, whether it’s a cleaning and exam, filling a cavity, or removing an infection from a tooth, is essential for everyone, including children. At Douglas L. Park, DDS, Pediatric Dentistry, your child’s oral health is important. But we understand that some children have some apprehension about their visits. We are equipped with several tactics designed to put your child at ease, including the way we speak to them and showing them our tools and demonstrating them before we use them. Despite these tactics, we understand that some children may still find it difficult to sit still and cooperate. For exceptionally anxious children, we may recommend oral conscious sedation.

Why Sedation?

You do your very best at home to prepare your child for their dental visit. You’ve spoken to your child, and you’ve read books about going to the dentist. But some kids are still nervous. Even though we take steps to ensure their comfort, once they are here it may not be enough. Anxiety and fear make your child tense. They may become uncooperative, or unable to sit still. And when your child cannot sit still, performing certain procedures becomes unsafe. Our goal is to make your child’s visits at our office positive. Sedation is designed to calm your child, and make them feel relaxed and comfortable. It allows us to perform their necessary procedures safely.

What Is Oral Conscious Sedation?

Oral conscious sedation is a type of moderate sedation. Your child is still conscious through their procedure, but they are kept in a very relaxed, sleepy, state. Sedation is administered by way of a medication that is taken by mouth, which may be in pill or liquid form. This type of sedation is stronger than nitrous oxide, and can produce an amnesic effect. Your child may not remember parts, or any, of their procedure.

How Does it Work?

We will provide you with a set of instructions to follow prior to your child’s appointment. These instructions will include such things as possibly limiting food intake (which will limit nausea and the risk of vomiting), and dressing your child in comfortable clothing. You may also want to consider bringing a comfort item for your child to hold, such as a blanket or a favorite stuffed animal.

When you arrive for your child’s appointment, they will be given an oral medication. As it begins to take effect, your child will begin to very relaxed, almost sleepy. It can take a while for the medication to wear off, so you may need to stay for a bit before leaving. Once you are home, monitor your child until the effects of the sedation have worn off. When your child is alert, you can feed them clear liquids to prevent nausea and gradually begin to resume normal activities.

Is Oral Conscious Sedation Safe?

As a parent, we understand your concern for your child’s safety. Oral conscious sedation is safe. We take measures to monitor your child’s vitals (blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, breathing, heart rate, temperature) during their procedure, and evaluate them before discharging them. Your child’s safety is of the utmost importance to us, and we do everything possible to ensure it.

Oral conscious sedation allows your anxious child to relax, and it allows us to perform their necessary dental work safely. For more information, call Douglas L. Park, DDS, Pediatric Dentistry today.