Nitrous Oxide

Some children are given nitrous oxide/oxygen, commonly called laughing gas, to relax them for their dental treatment. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is given through a small breathing mask which is placed over the child's nose, allowing them to relax, but without putting them to sleep. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recognizes this technique as a very safe, effective technique to use to reduce anxiety, and produce analgesia. Nitrous oxide/oxygen also works well for cooperative children undergoing multiple, or lengthy dental procedures. The gas is mild, easily taken, with normal breathing, and it is quickly eliminated from the body. While inhaling nitrous oxide/oxygen, your child remains fully conscious and keeps all natural reflexes. The most common adverse reactions to nitrous oxide/oxygen are nausea and vomiting, slight dizziness, and / or a mild headache immediately following administration.

Prior to your appointment:

• Please inform us of any change to your child's health and/or medical condition.
• Tell us about any respiratory condition that makes breathing through the nose difficult for your child. It may limit the effectiveness of the nitrous oxide/oxygen.
• Fasting is NOT required for patients undergoing nitrous oxide analgesia, but a light meal in the 2 hours preceding the appointment IS recommended. (Remember! Local Anesthetic will still be used to numb your child. He / she will be numb for about 2 hours AFTER the procedure.)

Conscious Sedation

Conscious sedation is a way of using medication to relax a child without the loss of consciousness. It is often recommended for apprehensive children, very young children, and children with special needs. Conscious sedation aids in calming a child so that he or she can accept dental treatment in a more relaxed state. This can prevent injury to the patient and provide a better environment for delivering quality dental care – it's hard to do dentistry on a moving child! Your child's heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration will be monitored throughout the procedure. Dr. Anokhi has had advanced training to administer, monitor, and manage sedated patients. She also exceeds the standard of care in her monitoring and emergency equipment. Dr Anokhi is trained and certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support.

There are a variety of different medications, which can be used for conscious sedation. Dr. Anokhi will prescribe the medication best suited for your child's overall health and dental treatment recommendations. She will be happy to answer any questions you might have concerning the specific drugs she may plan to use with your child.

Prior to your appointment:

• Your child should not have solid food for at least 6 hours prior to their sedation appointment and only clear liquids for up to 4 hours before the appointment.
• Please notify us of any change in your child's health and/or medical condition. Do not bring your child for treatment with a fever, ear infection or cold. Should your child become ill, contact us to see if it is necessary to postpone the appointment.
• Please dress your child in loose fitting, comfortable clothing.
• Please make sure that your child goes to the bathroom immediately prior to arriving at the office, or wears a diaper if still potty-training.
• The child's parent or legal guardian must remain at the office during the complete procedure.

After the sedation appointment:

• Your child will be drowsy and will need to be monitored very closely. Keep your child away from areas of potential harm.
• If your child wants to sleep, place them on their side with their chin up.
• Encourage them to have something to drink in order to prevent dehydration. At first it is best to give your child sips of clear liquids to prevent nausea. The first meal should be light and easily digestible.
• If your child vomits, help them bend over and turn their head to the side to insure that they do not inhale the vomit. If your child has persistent vomiting please call our office.
• Because Dr. Anokhi uses local anesthetic to numb your child's mouth during the procedure, your child may have the tendency to bite or chew their lips, cheeks, and/or tongue and/or rub and scratch their face after treatment. Please observe your child carefully to prevent any injury to these areas.
• Please call our office for any questions or concerns that you might have.

I.V. Sedation / General Anesthesia

I.V. Sedation or General Anesthesia is recommended for apprehensive children, very young children, and children with special needs that would not work well under conscious sedation. It is generally used for longer procedures, or if the child's medical status requires it. Dr. Anokhi will perform the dental treatment in the office with the child anesthetized under I.V. sedation or General Anesthesia; which is administered and monitored by an anesthesiologist. With I.V. sedation, your child will be heavily sedated, and may even fall asleep, but will be breathing on his/ her own. With general anesthesia, your child will be completely asleep, and will be assisted with his / her breathing. This would be the same as if he/she were having an outpatient procedure (ear tubes, tonsils removed, etc.) in a hospital operating room.

Prior to your appointment:

• Your child should not have milk or solid food after midnight prior to the scheduled procedure and clear liquids ONLY up to 6 hours prior to the appointment.
• Please notify us of any change in your child's health and/or medical condition. Do not bring your child for treatment with a fever, ear infection or cold. Should your child become ill, contact us to see if it is necessary to postpone the appointment.
• Please dress your child in loose fitting, comfortable clothing.
• Please make sure that your child goes to the bathroom immediately prior to arriving at the office, or wears a diaper if still potty training.
• The child's parent or legal guardian must remain at the office during the complete procedure.

After the sedation / general anesthesia appointment:

• Your child will be drowsy and will need to be monitored very closely. Keep your child away from areas of potential harm.
• If your child wants to sleep, place them on their side with their chin up. Wake your child every hour and encourage them to have something to drink in order to prevent dehydration. At first it is best to give your child sips of clear liquids to prevent nausea. The first meal should be light and easily digestible.
• If your child vomits, help them bend over and turn their head to the side to insure that they do not inhale the vomit. If your child has persistent vomiting please call our office.
• Because Dr. Anokhi uses local anesthetic to numb your child's mouth during the procedure, your child may have the tendency to bite or chew their lips, cheeks, and/or tongue and/or rub and scratch their face after treatment. Please observe your child carefully to prevent any injury to these areas.
• Please call our office for any questions or concerns that you might have.