Hospital Dentistry

We routinely treat comprehensive cases in a hospital setting. Outpatient anesthesia is recommended for apprehensive children with severe anxiety, young children, children who require extensive dental treatment and children with special needs that cannot be treated in a traditional office setting because of different limitations. We work with the excellent staff of nurses, certified registered nurse anesthetists and anesthesiologists at both Genesis East Medical Center and Spring Park Surgical Center.

General anesthesia patients receive medications to cause them to become unconscious and asleep while receiving dental care. In most cases, we complete all of the needed dental treatment in one visit. Once treatment is completed, the child is awakened and taken to the post-operative area where their parents are able to be with them while they recover. The child is discharged home once doctors determine he/she is sufficiently awake to leave the hospital/surgical center. The inherent risks if hospital dentistry is not chosen are multiple appointments, potential for physical restraint to complete treatment and possible emotional and/or physical injury to your child in order to complete their dental treatment. The risks of NO treatment include: tooth pain, infection, swelling, the spread of new decay, damage to the developing teeth and possible life threatening hospitalization from a dental infection.

Prior to your child's appointment:

Your child will require a history and physical exam with lab work within 30 days prior to the scheduled procedure.
Please notify us of any changes in your child's health. Please contact our office if your child should become ill to see if it will be necessary to reschedule.
You must tell us and/or the medical staff of any drugs that your child is currently taking(prescribed, over-the-counter or herbal) and any drug interactions/allergies and/or changes to their medical history.
Please dress your child in loose fitting, comfortable clothing and/or extra diapers/pull-ups.
Your child should have nothing to eat or drink after midnight as our dental cases are typically scheduled as first cases in the morning. We will be in contact with you for any time changes.
The child's parent or legal guardian must remain at the hospital or surgical site during the complete procedure. During this time of covid-19, both facilities we use for hospital cases are requiring the parent to remain in their child's assigned pre/post operative room to await their return. Please keep this in mind.

After the hospital/surgical center:

Your child may be drowsy and may not be able to walk well. He/She will need to be monitored very closely. Keep your child away from potential harm.
If your child wants to sleep place them on their side with their chin up. Periodically check your child to make sure he/she is easily arousable and encourage them to have something to drink to prevent dehydration. At first it is best to give your child small sips of clear liquids to prevent nausea (water, apple juice, Pedialyte, Gatorade, clear-colored charbonated beverages). The first meal should be light and easily digestable (a few bites of applesauce, Jello, pudding, mashed potatoes, soup, broth, macaroni and cheese). Avoid milk and ice cream the rest of the day to avoid nausea.
If your child vomits, help them bend over and turn their head to the side to insure they do not inhale the vomit.
Prior to leaving the hospital/outpatient center, you will be given a detailed list of Post Operative Instructions and an emergency contact number.