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.
Outstanding customer car for our 15 yrs old Autistic Granddaughter. Rebekah really helped put our minds and ease and helped us plan the next visit when it came to reservations we had on the cost of this treatment, and future ones. This is expensive, but worth it knowing they help special needs kids, teens and adults. Sedation dentistry team handle everything great! Thank you Dr. Thoms and the team!!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your thoughtful review. We’re so glad our team could provide a supportive and reassuring experience while helping you plan for future care. It means a great deal to know you felt informed and cared for every step of the way. We truly appreciate your kind words and the trust you’ve placed in us.
Dr Thoms specializes in dental anesthesia for patients with Special Needs. My daughter has been a patient of his for many years. His experience, depth of knowledge and understanding the needs of Special Needs patients is excellent. He presents clear and detailed information for his procedures and treatment options along with expectations during aftercare. Follow up instructions include a personal phone call from him as well as additional calls from his office staff. I highly recommend Dr Thoms and definitely give him 5 stars.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience. We’re grateful for the trust families place in our team and are committed to providing thoughtful, individualized care with clear communication every step of the way. Your recommendation means a great deal to us!
My hygienist, DeLaina Joost, takes excellent care of my teeth with her advanced skills, gentle touch and great “chair side” manner. She is a consummate professional, and such a compassionate person. I look forward to my visits at DAC!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad to hear you had a positive experience with our team and appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback.
I want to thank everyone at the Dental Anesthesia Center for taking care of me yesterday—Meaghan helped me get the forms filled out correctly and in on time, Daisy for guiding me in and getting me out safely, Dr. Hoffman for taking care of my teeth and dealing with my really terrible gag reflex, and EVERYONE who helps make this happen. I don't know all of your names, but I do know that it takes all of you working together to make my dental care possible and have good results.
I'm always nervous when I first arrive, even though every procedure has had a good outcome. I've never had any pain or excessive bleeding as a result. The one thing I realized yesterday is that all of you are warm, friendly, positive, you have what is called a good vibe, which helps me a great deal.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience. We’re so glad our team could help you feel comfortable and supported throughout your visit. Providing a safe, positive environment is very important to us, and your feedback means a great deal. We truly appreciate your trust in our care!
Dr. Thoms and his entire staff at The Dental Anesthesia Center have been absolutely wonderful!! They're all so kind and knowledgeable. I would give them 10 stars if I could!!!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It means a lot to hear this feedback.
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.
