Protecting your child’s mental health is just as important to us as their dental health. We understand that every child has their own unique needs when it comes to easing their anxiety. Developmental and chronological age widely vary in early childhood and adolescence. We offer several options in office to best suit your child.
Dr. Scott completed an additional two year residency in Pediatric Dentistry which had a strong focus on why children are not just “small adults” and learning the best way to tailor the sedation provided for restorative procedures. Sedation treatment plan options take into account a complete medical history, family medical history, age, BMI, level of anxiety and extent of dental restorative needing to be completed. Dr. Scott is certified in Basic life Support (BLS) and Pediatric Advanced life Support (PALS), keeping up to date with the best techniques.
All team members at Leander Pediatric Dentistry are Healthcare Provider Level BLS and AED certified. Yearly continuing education and practice drills keep them up to date on assisting with emergency situations. Dental assistants are trained to monitor patient vitals including blood pressure, pulse oximetry and capnography.
Nitrous oxide helps treat patients with mild anxiety. It is a safe and effective sedative agent that is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small mask that fits over your child’s nose to help them relax. Nitrous oxide, sometimes called “laughing gas,” is one option to help make your child more comfortable during certain procedures. Your child may feel light-headed or a tingling in their arms and legs. Ultimately, your child should feel calm and comfortable. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off soon after the mask is removed.
Oral Sedation also called Conscious Sedation is used for patients with moderate dental anxiety and for patients who need longer or more complex procedures. Oral Sedation or can help increase cooperation and reduce anxiety and discomfort associated with dental treatment. Various medications can be used to sedate a child; medicines will be selected based upon your child’s overall health, level of anxiety, and dental treatment recommendations. Once the medications have been administered, it may take up to an hour before your child shows signs of sedation and is ready for dental treatment. Most children become relaxed and/or drowsy and may drift into a light sleep from which they can be aroused easily. Unlike general anesthesia, sedation is not intended to make a patient unconscious or unresponsive.
We use a Board Certified Pediatric Anesthesiologist for in office IV sedation for your child’s utmost safety and comfort. This type of anesthesiologist has the most training out of all of the types of providers that are licensed to do this type of procedure.
IV sedation is generally used when the treatment is extensive or the child does not do well with conscious sedation or has a medical necessity. IV Sedation is a sedative administered intravenously or directly into a vein. The sedation can be quickly modified to your state of consciousness and can be continued as long as necessary for the procedure. IV Sedation is offered in office and performed by a Board Certified Pediatric Dental Anesthesiologist. More information about the procedure can be found here.
