Pediatric Sedation Instructions

Your child has been identified as needing behavior management with the use of an oral sedative. These instructions will help ensure you understand what is required prior to the sedation visit. You must adhere to all instructions, or your visit will be rescheduled or referred to a pediatric dentist.

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Leading Up to the Day of Surgery

Child cannot be sick:

  • No Cough
  • No Earache
  • No Congestion
  • No Diarrhea
  • No Fever
  • No Runny Nose
  • NO ILLNESS AT ALL
  • Child must have clear lungs by auscultation (stethoscope)

Accompaniment: Child must be accompanied by 2 adults—one to drive and the other to monitor the child in the back seat. They must remain with the child the entire trip home.

Fasting: Child must be on an empty stomach. No solid foods or liquids after 10:00 PM the evening before the appointment. This includes juice, water, or any other drink the morning of the appointment.

Consent forms for sedation must be signed prior to the visit.

Take medications as normally scheduled with a small sip of water.

FAILURE TO FOLLOW ANY OF THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL RESULT IN CANCELLATION OF THE SEDATION APPOINTMENT.

Following Oral Conscious Sedation for Pediatric Patients

Your child has completed the sedation visit and you are now on your way home. You have been dismissed and instructed to go straight home to monitor your child over the next 24 hours. It is normal for your child to experience one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Drowsiness: Should wear off over 4-6 hours. Try to keep the child awake. If the child falls asleep, ensure they are face down or on their side.
  • Nausea/Vomiting: Can be a side effect of the medication. Keep child on clear liquids. If symptoms persist, please call the office.
  • Anger: Reaction to medication; should wear off over 4-6 hours.
  • Combative/Aggression: Call office immediately.
  • Minimal Oral Bleeding: Normal to see small amounts of blood, especially if local anesthetic or crowns were used. (Extractions will have additional instructions.) If bleeding is excessive, call office immediately.
  • Moderate Pain: Normal after local anesthetic, crown placement, or extractions. Over-the-counter analgesics may be given (e.g., Children’s Tylenol, Motrin, Ibuprofen, or Advil).
  • Hunger/Thirst: Start with clear liquids (e.g., Gatorade, water, Sprite, apple juice). If tolerated and child is hungry, proceed with solids. Remember reflexes may be slower, so monitor the amount and consistency of food given.
  • Numbness: Child may be numb for 2-3 hours due to local anesthetic. Monitor to prevent chewing on numb tongue, cheek, or lip. If bright red blood occurs, apply ice and firm pressure, then call office immediately.

You must monitor your child closely for the next 24 hours. Your child must not return to school or participate in extracurricular activities today.

For any concerns or problems following sedation, please contact Dr. Toth at (956) 425-7744. After hours, the answering machine will provide an emergency number.