If you have a child who is going to have oral surgery, oral sedation might be recommended or even required. Oral sedation might sound intimidating due to the word sedation. However, unlike anesthesia or IV sedation, oral sedation is much less complicated and generally has very few adverse effects or concerns.
Yes, my grandson has nonverbal autism and they took very good care of him.. He had to have some extra extractions which I was concerned about, but everything went very well. Very happy and I thank you all for all the work you did.
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I took my son to an appointment today with Dr. Hoffman. We had a great experience from the time we arrived until we departed. The receptionist was very friendly and helpful. The dental assistants were very helpful and polite with my son. The doctor is very kind and patient. They explain everything as we went through the process. We were aware of the cost from the beginning to the end and we're allowed to make decisions about how to handle my child's care and not shocked with additional charges after the fact. My child does not resist going to this office. Great experience.
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Dr. Thoms and everyone of his staff members are incredible. I was warmly welcomed and made to feel comfortable and relaxed. Which is saying something as I had not been to the dentist in years due to fear/anxiety. My procedure was clearly explained. The office staff was beyond helpful with payment and insurance. The day of my appt was exactly as planned. We started ahead of schedule! The technicians and assistants were clearly skilled and again, helped ease my nervousness. We finished all work as planned. And then Dr. Thoms sat with me and my husband to discuss “everything.” He is very thorough. And finally one of his staff wheeled me down to the elevator, out across the parking lot, and helped me into my van. Now that is service! Around 8:30 p.m. my cell phone rang and it was Dr. Thoms calling to check up on me. Wow!!!!! This man has all you could want in a dentist—kind, compassionate, thorough, understanding, excellent communicator, and skilled. I cannot come up with the best words to so highly recommend the Dental Anesthesia Center. It was a remarkable, yet simple, but thorough experience for me. If you are putting off going to the dentist and have anxiety or fears please call them. They will gently and competently take care of you. And no, this is not an advertisement/ commercial—I am a real live (satisfied) patient.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review! We’re honored to hear that you felt welcomed, comfortable, and well cared for throughout your experience. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate, thorough care—especially for those who may feel anxious about dental visits—so it means a lot to know that came through. We truly appreciate your recommendation and are grateful you chose us for your care.
The practice is top notch. Could not ask for better care.
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What Is Oral Sedation?
Oral sedation is when your child receives oral medication that helps them to be conscious but in a sleep-like state during a procedure. The medicine usually allows them to sleep, but it is possible that they can be completely awake and feel very little and remember little to nothing.
Like a magic memory eraser, oral sedation is an excellent way to take away the pain and anxiety of having something like a tooth pulled, so that your child doesn’t have to suffer any emotional distress.
“How Will My Child Behave?”
The oral medication that a child receives during a procedure will usually last after the treatment is completed. Your child can be sent home immediately following its completion without concern. It might be alarming to see your child at first because they can seem incredibly out of it and incoherent, but this should be very short-lived.
Once the medication wears off, they generally will not remember what happened during the procedure and will be back to their old self.
It is not unusual for your child to talk after a procedure about it, which can also be somewhat concerning. They often will not make much sense and be completely unaware of what they are saying.
Even if they talk about what happened and what they witnessed, that doesn’t mean that the oral sedation didn’t work. When your child fully wakes up after the medications have worn off, it is unlikely that they will remember a thing.
What to Watch for After Oral Sedation
Take precautions to ensure that your child doesn’t injure themselves after oral sedation. Since they aren’t fully aware of what they are doing, it is best not to let them eat hard foods, especially if their mouth is still numb post-surgery.
Serve only soft foods until you know they are coherent and have sensation back in their mouth. Otherwise, there is a risk that they will hurt themselves when chewing.
Also, if they are incredibly groggy, it is essential to observe them. If your child gets up to go to the bathroom or starts to roam the house, things like stairs or tripping hazards can be risky. If they are awake but not very alert, you might want to watch them until you are sure that they are fully conscious.
If your child is having a dental procedure involving oral sedation, there is no reason to fear; it generally comes with minimal risks. The only thing that you might want to be concerned about is watching them afterward until the medications have run their course.
If you have questions or would like to learn more about sedation dentistry, we’d be happy to speak with you!
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The first two board-certified Dentist Anesthesiologists in the state of Missouri.
