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.
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!!!
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Dr Mike Hoffman is the best dentist I’ve ever been to. His whole practice focuses on the patient’s needs. He is the consumate professional with expertise across the dental spectrum and in anesthesia. I highly recommend him and his practice.
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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.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words. We’re so glad to hear you had a positive experience and that everything went smoothly. We truly appreciate your trust in us.
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.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad to hear your experience was positive from start to finish. Our team works hard to create a comfortable, transparent, and supportive environment for every patient and family. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your 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.
