Our main concern is to provide high quality care and a positive dental experience for your child. In selected instances, sedation is recommended in order to help accomplish these goals by making the dental visit as easy and as comfortable for your child as possible.

Conscious sedation usually involves the use of several oral medications given approximately 15-30 minutes before treatment begins. The particular combination and dosage selected is individually tailored to your child's needs. Sedation will generally help relax and relieve fear and anxiety. Conscious sedation will not always make an uncooperative child cooperative.

Although this is not a general anesthetic and the patient will not be "put to sleep", many children may take a light nap but are able to be roused during dental treatment. Local anesthesia or "sleepy juice" will be utilized for pain control along with nitrous oxide or "happy air" for further comfort. Finally, with the medications used, there is often amnesia. This will help your child have a positive experience.

In order to help ensure a successful sedation appointment, your understanding and cooperation of the following is necessary:

• DO NOT GIVE YOUR CHILD ANYTHING TO EAT OR DRINK for FOUR/SIX hours prior to the dental appointment. This includes milk and juice. This is important for safety and effectiveness by prevent' vomiting and other complications.

• Do not give your child any medications, except those taken daily for a medical condition before or after the sedation appointment unless Dr. Murray-Clary has prescribed them

• Your child must be accompanied by an adult who will keep us informed of their whereabouts during the entire appointment.

• Notify us if there is a change in your child's health (i.e., cough, congestion, bronchitis, fever) several days prior to his/her dental visit. Please inform us of changes in your child's medical history, medications or reactions to medications.

• Do not plan further activities for your child on the day of his/her dental treatment. Plan to make the day quiet and relaxed and allow your child to rest. ADULT SUPERVISION FOR 4-6 HOURS AFTER TREATMENT IS ESSENTIAL. Allow your child to be near you and check him/her periodically. Symptoms that your child may experience after the dental treatment with sedation are: itchy nose, grogginess, tiredness, sleep; dizziness and lack of coordination; children may be grumpy and irritable, especially if they are tired and refuse to nap.

• The vast majority of sedation appointments go smoothly and without complication. However, there are risks associated specifically with the sedation procedure. The potential risks include, but are not limited to, nausea, vomiting, aspiration (breathing in) of foreign matter, and very rarely convulsions. After dental treatment your child must nap on his/her side in case of vomiting.

• Your child may experience a concern or be frightened by the sensation from the local anesthesia, Many children describe this 2-4 hour sensation as "a hurt". A child who is numb after local anesthesia may play with and chew on his/her lips, cheek and tongue, Watch your child carefully while the numbness wears off.

• Muscle aches and a sore throat similar to the flu may occur following dental treatment with sedation, These symptoms are very common and will usually disappear within 24-36 hours. For children, a fever of up to 101 degrees Fahrenheit may develop within the first 12 hours. Medications such as Tylenol, Motrin and Advil are usually very effective and should be taken at the first sign of discomfort or fever, if normally tolerated.

• Since we requested that you not feed your child 4-6 hours before the appointment, he/she may be hungry. Fluids especially, and softer, easy-to-chew foods are important for your child to receive as soon as possible. It is important to replace nutrition missed before the appointment to prevent dehydration and weakness.

If you have further concerns or questions about sedation, please ask. With your cooperation, we anticipate your child's sedation experience to be a pleasant one.