Sedation Oral Conscious

Preparing for Your Child’s Sedation Visit

During The Sedation Appointment

• When sedative medications are administered before your child is taken to the treatment room, we will ask you to watch your child closely as he/she may become sleepy, dizzy, unsteady, uncoordinated, or irritable. You will need to remain next to your child to prevent injuries that may occur from stumbling/falling. Keeping your child calm but distracted from the unfamiliar surroundings often is helpful.
• During the sedation appointment, you will remain in the waiting room and WILL NOT be allowed back during the procedure.
• You, as the child’s parent/legal guardian, must remain at the office throughout the sedation appointment. You may not leave the office for any reason.
• After the procedure, we give your child juice, water and popsicles to make sure they are hydrated and can hold fluids down.
• The doctor and staff will evaluate your child’s health status before he/she will be discharged home. Children recover from effects of sedatives at different rates so be prepared to remain at our office until the doctor has determined your child is stable and the after-effects are minimal. At discharge, your child should be responsive but may be drowsy, crying, or fussy.

Prior To Your Child’s Sedation Appointment

• Please notify our office of any change in your child’s health and/or medical condition. Fever, ear infection, nasal or chest congestion, or recent head trauma could place your child at increased risk for complications. Should your child become ill just prior to a sedation appointment, contact our office to see if it is a necessity to postpone the sedation.
• Tell us about any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications your child is taking. Check with us to see if routine medications should be taken the day of the sedation. Also, report any allergies or reactions to medications that your child has experienced.
• Food and liquids must be restricted in the hours prior to sedation. Fasting decreases the risk of vomiting and aspirating stomach contents into the lungs, a potentially life-threatening problem. We will not proceed with the sedation if you do not comply with the following requirements.

  TYPE OF FOOD/LIQUID	MINIMUM FASTING PERIOD
  Clear liquids (water, apple juice)	2 hours before sedation (Small sips)
  Breast milk	4 hours before sedation
  Formula, non-human milk, and light meal (toast and clear liquid)	6 hours before sedation
  Fried or fatty foods or meat	8 hours before sedation

• Dress your child in loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. This will allow us to place monitors that evaluate your child’s response to the medications and help ensure your child’s safety. These monitors may measure effects on your child’s breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
• Try not to bring other children to this appointment so you can focus your attention on your child undergoing the sedation.
• If you will be traveling home by automobile, it is preferable to have two adults accompany the patient home. On the way home, one individual should be able to observe the child’s breathing without any distractions, especially if the patient falls asleep while in the car or safety seat.

After The Sedation Appointment

• Once home, your child will still be drowsy and must remain under adult supervision until fully recovered from the effects of the sedation. If your child wants to sleep, position your child on his/her side with the head supported and the chin up. If your child is snoring, reposition the head until the snoring disappears and your child breathes normally. If breathing becomes abnormal or you are unable to arouse your child, contact emergency services (call 911) immediately.
• Nausea and vomiting are occasional side effects of sedation. If vomiting occurs, immediately clear the material from your child’s mouth. Once again, be sure that the breathing is normal. If breathing becomes abnormal or you are unable to arouse your child, contact emergency services (call 911) immediately. If vomiting persists for 20 to 40 minutes, contact our office immediately.