I have a question about sedation dentistry for kids. Last September 2 of our 4 kids were in the van with my husband and were in a care accident. They all had some serious injuries. My 10 year old son was hospitalized for several weeks. He is fine now. That accident was very traumatic for him though and any medical or dental appointments seem to trigger post-traumatic stress. Maybe it is from being in the hospital so long. Although he used to enjoy dental appointments, he now hates them. Our family dentist is great, but she doesn’t offer any kind of sedation. Under normal circumstances, she is very effective and very gentle with her patients, so I understand why most of her patients wouldn’t need sedation. Things are different with my son now and I’m wondering if sedation dentistry is the way to go for him. I will have to switch dentists for him, but I don’t think I have the choice. Safety is a concern though. I’m hesitant about going to a new family dentist and asking for sedation if it isn’t safe for children. Is it common for kids to get sedation dentistry? Thanks. Hannah
Hannah – Trained dentists safely provide pediatric sedation for children. The training allows dentists to help children become comfortable and relaxed for a dental procedure. Sedation can be administered to children orally or under the tongue.
Before your son can receive sedation dentistry, his medical and dental history should be reviewed to ensure he is a candidate for the treatment. Be certain to find a dentist who is specifically trained in providing sedation for children—not just adults. There are several reasons:
- Children have unique safety protocols.
- Their airways are different than adults.
- They metabolize sedatives at a different rate.
If your son is a candidate for this treatment, his dentist will be able to accomplish more during each visit. It will save time and help you avoid cancelling or rescheduling appointments because he is nervous. Much of his anxiety will be relieved, and with time, he might start enjoying dental appointments again. Positive experiences often help to reduce anxiety about the next dental appointment.
Before You Choose a Sedation Dentist for Your Child
Before you schedule an appointment for your son, look for two or three dentists with the following qualifications:
- Continuing education in sedation dentistry
- Specific training for children
- Years of experience in providing treatment for children
- Current training in safety protocol
Schedule consultations with each dentist, and take your son with you to the appointments. The information you gather, as well as your interaction with the dentist will help you choose a good dentist for your son.
This post is sponsored by Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Steven Collins.