3 Things to Know Before Choosing Dental Sedation For Your Loved One With Special Needs

By Dr. Greg Grillo (dentably.com)

For someone with special needs, going to the dentist can be overwhelming. Patients may become too anxious and unwilling to receive the dental care they need. In these cases, dental sedation may be a good option. As a family dentist working for over 17 years, I’ve used sedation methods in my own practice. It can be a great option for a patient with additional needs to comfortably receive the care they need. While dental sedation is a completely safe option, there are a few things to know before deciding on this method.

1. dentistDifferent methods of sedation

There are three common types of sedation methods that your dentist may use. It’s important to know the difference between each one so you can decide which is right the patient. If you’re unsure, ask a lot of questions. Your dentist will be able to advise you on if one method will be better than another.

• Nitrous Oxide: Nitrous Oxide is a safe anti-anxiety medicine that is inhaled through a nose mask. It’s generally recommended that this method is only used on children who are older than five as they must keep breathing throughout the appointment. In some cases, a patient will not respond to nitrous oxide and another method may need to be used.

• Conscious Sedation: This method involves the use of sedatives to produce a calm, sleepy state without losing consciousness. The sedative is given as a pill or liquid one hour prior to the procedure.

Patients with special needs may respond in a wide variety of ways and there can be serious side effects. One way to find out of conscious sedation will work for your child or is to get a screening to rule out respiratory issues and any medical contradictions.

• General Anesthesia: General Anesthesia involves the loss of consciousness and is usually the last resort for those who don’t respond to the first two options. It needs to be administered in a hospital or fully equipped healthcare center. It has a number of health risks and often is avoided for regular dental cleanings and procedures.

2. Conflicting medical conditions

If your loved one with special needs suffers from other medical conditions, you will have to take extra precautions to make sure that dental sedation is the safest option. Sometimes dental sedation can conflict with other medical conditions, in these cases, it’s best to find another method for dental care.

Conditions such as sleep apnea, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, respiratory issues, gastrointestinal issues, and others may make dental sedation more dangerous. Speak to your dentist about any medical conditions that your loved one has and ensure that dental sedation will be the safest option. Your dentist is committed to the safety of their patients.

3. Preparing for the appointment

If you’ve decided that dental sedation will be the best option, it’s important to prepare for the appointment. There is a chance that there will be anxieties around being sedated, but there is a lot you can do to make this a positive experience.

A few days or weeks before the appointment, start introducing your loved one to what the process is like. You can do this with visuals such as videos or storybooks. You can even explain any good experiences you’ve had at the dentist to help them feel more comfortable.

The night before your loved one’s appointment here are some things you will have to do to prepare. Depending on which type of sedation the patient is receiving they will most likely not be able to eat past midnight the night before the appointment. Children will be able to drink water, clear juice, or Pedialyte.

There may be some anxieties on the day of the actual appointment. The best thing you can do is stay positive and encouraging. If your child takes regular medications, be sure to let your dentist know ahead of time to make sure these medications won’t interfere with the sedation that’s going to be administered.

Dental sedation can be a safe and great way for your loved one to receive the dental care they need, especially if they get easily overwhelmed by the sensory elements at the dentist. Talk with your dental care provider about if it’s the best option. Good dental care is important to one’s overall health and well-being and everyone should receive the care they need.