OUTPATIENT SERVICES

Since no child is the same and each requires an individual assessment for dental treatment, Dr. Doss will review the option that best suits your child and his or her treatment.

Our office offers multiple sedation options:

  -Local Anesthesia
-Nitrous Oxide / Laughing Gas
-Conscious IV Sedation / in House Sedation
-Outpatient / IV Sedation		  












Local Anesthesia

Local anesthesia (administered by injection to the treatment site) is the preferred method used by the dentist to make your child's treatment more pleasant and comfortable. Following a dental procedure requiring local anesthesia, it is necessary to closely observe the child in the event he/she may bite or nibble the numbed area. It is normal for the child to experience a tingling sensation in the affected area as the anesthetic dissipates.

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Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)

In order to help relieve or to relax your child, a combination of Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen is often used during their appointment. It is a very safe way to comfort a very anxious child or to help a good child have a more enjoyable visit. The gas is administered through a "flavored nose" that your child chooses. It is not designed to "put them to sleep", but only to relax them.

- It will not make a very apprehensive, combative, or extremely young child behave better.
- It is best used on young children at morning appointments
- If your child has ear infection or an earache, please let us know. It can not be used on your child at this time.
- Let us know if your child is taking any medication on the day of the appointment.
- Do not give your child anything to eat prior to the appointment with Nitrous Oxide. If their stomach gets upset, they can become sick and having food will not help the situation.
- 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.

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Conscious Sedation / in House Sedation

IV Sedation is recommended for apprehensive children, very young children, and children with special needs. This technique is used to calm your child and to reduce the anxiety or discomfort associated with dental treatments. Dr. Stroud performs the dental treatment in our office with the child anesthetized under IV sedation, which is administered and monitored by a pediatric anesthesiologist.

Prior to your 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.
  • You must tell the doctor of any drugs that your child is currently taking and any drug reactions and or change in medical history.
  • Please dress your child in loose fitting, comfortable clothing.
  • To help eliminate bathroom concerns please have your child empty his/her bladder prior to sedation.
  • Your child should not have milk or solid food after midnight prior to the scheduled procedure and clear liquids only (water, apple juice, Gatorade) for up to 6 hours prior to the appointment.
  • 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 him/her 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, turn their head to the side to ensure that they do not inhale the vomit.
  • Please call our office with any questions or concerns that you might have.

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Outpatient General Anesthesia / IV Sedation

Outpatient General Anesthesia is recommended for apprehensive children, very young children, and children with special needs who would not work well under conscious sedation or IV sedation .General anesthesia renders your child completely asleep. This would be the same as if he/she was having their tonsils removed, ear tubes, or a hernia repaired. This is performed in a hospital or outpatient setting only. Drs. Doss and Stroud feel confident the best equipped establishment is at Children's Medical Center . The dental treatment is performed with IV Sedation and is monitored by a pediatric anesthesiologist . While the assumed risks are greater than that of other treatment options, if this is suggested for your child, the benefits of treatment this way have been deemed to outweigh the risks. Most pediatric medical literature places the risk of a serious reaction in the range of 1 in 25,000 to 1 in 200,000, far better than the assumed risk of even driving a car daily. The inherent risks if this is not chosen are multiple appointments, potential for physical restraint to complete treatments, 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 their developing adult teeth and possible life threatening hospitalization from a dental infection.

Prior to your 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.
  • You must tell the doctor of any drugs that your child is currently taking and any drug reactions and/or change in medical history.
  • Please dress your child in loose fitting, comfortable clothing.
  • To help eliminate bathroom concerns please have your child empty his/her bladder prior to sedation.
  • Your child should not have milk or solid food after midnight prior to the scheduled procedure and clear liquids Only (water, apple juice, Gatorade) for up to 6 hours prior to the appointment.
  • The child's parent or legal guardian must remain at the office during the complete procedure.
After the 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 him/her 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, turn their heads to the side to ensure that they do not inhale the vomit.
  • Prior to leaving the hospital/outpatient center, you will be given a detailed list of "Post Op Instructions" and an emergency contact number if needed.

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