The American Dental Association offers the following questions that parents and guardians should ask concerning in-office sedation or general anesthesia for their children provided either by the dentist or by a separate sedation/anesthetic practitioner in that dental ofiice. The ADA recommends talking to your dentist about any concerns you might have about the treatment plan prior, during and after the procedure.
PDAA sedation is provided by board-certified pediatric anesthesiologists — medical doctors with over 12,000 hours of clinical training, including specialized residency and fellowship experience in caring for infants and children. Our providers exceed the American Dental Association (ADA) standards and all state licensing requirements.
Advances in medicine, monitoring technology, and training have made today’s anesthesia safer than ever (even safer than riding in a car) — especially when provided by highly trained pediatric anesthesiologists. Our nurses will collect your child’s full medical history in advance, and our doctors will carefully review it to create the safest possible care plan.
If your child has special health needs or would benefit from a hospital setting, we’ll recommend that option to ensure every precaution is taken.
Every year in the United States, more than one million children under the age of four safely receive anesthesia for necessary procedures. Anesthesia is never given to young children unless it is medically essential.
Yes, in many cases. Your child’s safety is always our top priority. Our doctors will review their medical history in detail and let you know if they are not a suitable candidate for IV sedation in the office. If needed, we will refer you to a hospital or surgery center where additional resources are available.
Your anesthesiologist adjusts medication doses based on your child’s age, weight, medical history, response to initial dose of medication, and the planned procedure. We give the minimum amount needed to keep them safely and comfortably asleep.
Oral Conscious Sedation is when your child takes medication by mouth (liquid or pill) before the procedure given by the dentist. It works gradually and provides mild to moderate relaxation, helping them stay calm. Because the dose is given all at once and can’t be adjusted during the visit, it’s generally used for shorter or simpler treatments. If your child doesn’t swallow the full dose, or if the dose isn’t strong enough for them, the procedure may need to be rescheduled or split into multiple visits.
IV Sedation is medication that is delivered through a small tube (catheter) placed in a vein after your child breathes a sweet-flavored “sleepy air” to help them relax and not remember the IV placement. The medication works immediately, and the anesthesiologist can adjust the level of sedation throughout the procedure to keep your child fully asleep, comfortable, and unaware of what’s happening. IV sedation is often recommended for longer or more complex dental work, for children with higher anxiety, or for those with special healthcare needs. It also allows the dentist to complete treatment more efficiently since your child will remain completely still.
We are not a provider for any insurance company, so payment will need to be made out of pocket prior to the procedure. However, you can contact your medical insurance company to determine if you are eligible for reimbursement. We will also provide you with a “superbill” that you can submit to your insurance company.
Before the appointment, a PDAA nurse gathers a complete medical history — allergies, medications, prior illnesses, and surgeries. This is reviewed by the anesthesiologist days before the procedure and again on the day of treatment. If your child’s health needs suggest additional precautions, we may recommend care in a hospital or surgery center.
Your child must not have solid foods for six hours prior to the procedure. Clear liquids (water, Gatorade, Jello, popsicles) are allowed until three hours before. Nothing should be consumed in the final three hours before the procedure. These guidelines are essential to prevent complications during anesthesia.
Children do quite well with these guidelines and are easily distracted and actually excited about the opportunity for unlimited popsicles! Please carefully monitor your child at home on sedation day so he or she doesn’t sneak a snack!
Your child will be administered anesthesia by a board certified anesthesiologist with pediatric subspecialty training. This is the highest standard of care available so you can be assured your child receives the safest care.
Yes. Our staff maintain current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Life Support (ALS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). We also perform regular emergency drills.
Yes. PDAA meets or exceeds all state dental board requirements for sedation and anesthesia permits.
Most children do not require sedative medications before coming to the office. In the event that a sedative is required, you will be given specific instructions.
Illness on the day of the procedure that involves high fever >100.5 degrees F, symptoms such as lethargy (unusually weak or fatigued), productive cough, difficulty breathing, or abdominal pain with nausea or vomiting will likely result in rescheduling. Please contact our nursing staff or anesthesiologist directly via phone or email the day before the procedure if these symptoms are present.
Illnesses such as colds or viruses a few days before the procedure often do not require rescheduling as the deep sedation anesthetic we administer does not impact the respiratory system in the same way as General Anesthesia in the hospital . Your pediatric anesthesiologist is a physician trained specialist in both Pediatrics and Anesthesiology and can best determine the anesthetic risk. You should direct questions directly to them.
Many dental infections can cause low grade fever. Children with tooth pain should undergo the dental procedure without delay to avoid spread of the infection. Often, the patients have low grade fevers with no other respiratory or GI symptoms.
It is safe for your child to take their regular daily medication as prescribed with a sip of water prior to their dental procedure. If the medications are vitamins or non-essential medications, they can be held until after the procedure.
If the medications are to treat behavior, seizures, respiratory, or other illnesses, please give these medications with a sip of water early in the morning of the procedure. It is important that they take any needed medications.
Plan to stay at home with your child for the rest of the day. They will be able to resume their normal daily routine the following day.
It is essential that your child does not eat or consume dairy products for six hours before the procedure. This is a safety precaution, and failure to follow these guidelines could result in the postponement of your child’s dental procedure. Clear liquids such as water, Gatorade, Jello, or popsicles are allowed up to three hours before the procedure. However, nothing should be consumed by mouth during the three hours prior to the procedure.
Plan to stay at home with your child for the rest of the day. They will be able to resume their normal daily routine the following day.
The dental office will contact you the day before sedation day with your arrival time. We ask that you keep your entire day of procedure open and flexible. Please be available to come sooner than scheduled and be prepared to wait longer than anticipated. We provide every child with our highest attention and care; surgery days are very fluid and times can change. The dentist does his or her best to accurately predict treatment times but many factors can cause this to change. Our team will update you immediately if changes are anticipated.
Your child will receive deep sedation or light general anesthesia — enough to keep them fully asleep, but still breathing on their own with normal blood pressure and heart rate.
Your child’s physiologic variables will be closely monitored before, during, and after the procedure, following all national standards. This ensures continuous oversight until they are safely released to go home.
We maintain immediate access to emergency medications and equipment, along with a written emergency response plan. Our team is trained and conducts yearly drills for emergency management, though such events are rare. All PDAA monitoring and emergency equipment is inspected yearly by an independent risk manager (Hospitals are inspected every 3 years) .
While we would love to have parents present during anesthesia, unfortunately dental offices are not conducive to it. The procedure rooms are small and there is not adequate space for staff and parents. There is also not adequate staff to accompany the parent and be present should they feel faint. This has occurred and now PDAA ‘s policy is that to ensure undivided attention to the expeditious administration of anesthesia to your child, we have separation in the pre-op area. We encourage you to read about your anesthesiologist and feel comfortable in the care your child will receive.
Yes. You’ll receive detailed discharge instructions and the direct cell phone number of your child’s pediatric anesthesiologist in case you have questions or concerns.
It is essential that your child does not eat or consume dairy products for six hours before the procedure. This is a safety precaution, and failure to follow these guidelines could result in the postponement of your child’s dental procedure. Clear liquids such as water, Gatorade, Jello, or popsicles are allowed up to three hours before the procedure. However, nothing should be consumed by mouth during the three hours prior to the procedure.
Plan to stay at home with your child for the rest of the day. They will be able to resume their normal daily routine the following day.
A pediatric anesthesiologist is a medical doctor who has completed four years of college, followed by four years of medical school, and then an additional 4-5 years of training in anesthesiology, including specialized training in pediatric (infant and child) anesthesiology. This typically involves more than 12,000 hours of clinical training. Our anesthesiologists undergo some of the highest levels of training available, ensuring that your child receives the safest care possible.
Modern anesthesia has never been safer. Our nurses will collect your child’s medical history, which will be carefully reviewed by our doctors. If your child falls into a higher-risk category, you may be referred to a hospital or surgery center.
In the United States, more than one million children under the age of four undergo surgical procedures requiring anesthesia each year. Young children typically do not receive anesthesia unless it is medically necessary. For more information, visit www.smarttots.org.
Your child’s safety is our top priority. Our doctors will carefully review your child’s medical history and inform you if your child is not a suitable candidate for IV sedation in the office. If necessary, we will refer you to a hospital or surgery center.
It is essential that your child does not eat or consume dairy products for six hours before the procedure. This is a safety precaution, and failure to follow these guidelines could result in the postponement of your child’s dental procedure. Clear liquids such as water, Gatorade, Jello, or popsicles are allowed up to three hours before the procedure. However, nothing should be consumed by mouth during the three hours prior to the procedure.
Plan to stay at home with your child for the rest of the day. They will be able to resume their normal daily routine the following day.
We are not a provider for any insurance company, so payment will need to be made out of pocket prior to the procedure. However, you can contact your insurance company to determine if you are eligible for reimbursement. We will also provide you with a “superbill” that you can submit to your insurance company.
A PDAA nurse will call you to get this information and it will be reviewed by an anesthesiologist several days before the procedure to insure your child is safe for anesthesia. This information will again be reviewed on the day of the procedure when your child is examined by the anesthesiologist.
You will be given eating and drinking instructions by our nursing staff. Your child must not have any solid foods for six hours prior to the procedure and may have clear liquids three hours prior to procedure. Nothing by mouth for three hours prior to the procedure.
Your child will be administered anesthesia by a board certified anesthesiologist with pediatric subspecialty training. This is the highest standard of care available so you can be assured your child receives the safest care.
The PDAA staff have training in Basic Life Support, Advanced Life Support, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. Emergency drills are performed on a regular basis.
Yes and PDAA meets or exceeds all state requirements.
Most children do not require sedative medications before coming to the office. In the event that a sedative is required, you will be given specific instructions.
Your child will receive just enough medication for deep sedation or light general anesthesia, during which they will be unconscious but still able to breathe on their own with normal blood pressure and vital signs.
Your child’s physiologic variables will be closely monitored before, during, and after the procedure, following all national standards. This ensures continuous oversight until they are safely released to go home.
Our office has immediate access to all necessary emergency medications and equipment, along with a written emergency response plan for managing medical situations.
You will receive detailed discharge instructions which include the cellphone number to your pediatric anesthesiologist.
We’re here to help! If you have any concerns about anesthesia or sedation for your child, or if you’d like to know more about our services, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is ready to provide the answers and support you need.
Discover why we were featured in Pediatric Dental Practice Magazine for our expertise in pediatric dental anesthesia.
Explore trusted organizations and helpful information to learn more about anesthesia and pediatric dental care. These resources are here to guide you in making informed decisions for your child’s health and safety.
Last updated: November 20th, 2023
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