Hospital Before and After Care
PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT:
Please notify us of any change in your child’s health. Do not bring your child for treatment with a fever, ear infection or cold. Should your child become ill, contact us to see if it is necessary to postpone the appointment.
You must tell the doctor of any drugs that your child is currently taking and any drug reactions and/or change in medical history.
Please dress your child in loose fitting, comfortable clothing.
Your child may eat or drink anything until midnight the night before the dental surgery. After midnight, nothing goes into the mouth except water until 5 A.M. After 5 A.M. nothing goes into the mouth – period. This is very important. The stomach must be empty at the time of the surgery.
The child’s parent or legal guardian must remain at the hospital or surgical site waiting room during the complete procedure.
Failure to follow the doctor’s instructions regarding food or liquid intake within the hours before you get to the hospital or failure to arrive on time could result in the cancellation of the procedure.
Do you need a new Pre-operative physical (H&P) form? Simply click on this link to view a printable copy to take to your child’s pediatrician. Pre-op physical form (H&P)
AFTER THE APPOINTMENT:
Your child will be drowsy and will need to be monitored very closely for several hours following his appointment. Keep your child away from areas of potential harm.
Please observe your child on the way home. The child should be watched closely for nausea or breathing difficulty and carefully secured in a car seat or seat belt.
Keep your child under close observation (let him rest in the same room in which you are present). If your child wants to sleep, place them on their side with their chin up. Wake your child every hour and encourage them to have something to drink in order to prevent dehydration. At first it is best to give your child sips of clear liquids (water, gatorade, clear fruit juices) to prevent nausea. The first meal should be light and easily digestible.
An upset stomach with some nausea may occur, and occasionally there may be an episode of vomiting. If your child vomits, help them bend over and turn their head to the side to insure that they do not inhale the vomit. Continue to give clear liquids and the nausea should subside. If vomiting persists after four hours, please call us.
Do not allow your child to begin activities involving physical coordination or skill (playing outside, etc.) since their reactions will be slowed and they can injure themselves. Your child needs to take it easy for the rest of the day and then tomorrow they may resume normal activities.
Your child may have some discomfort and soreness of the gums, mouth and jaws. This is normal and is because of tissue manipulation, holding the mouth open, etc. Don’t hesitate to give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) in the appropriate dose, today and/or tonight.
Brushing and flossing are necessary every day, and are especially important for the next few days. The teeth and gums must be kept very clean for proper healing to occur. These areas build up plaque and food debris every day, and must be cleaned. It will be normal for the gums to be sore and bleed a little when cleaning for the next few days as they are healing. During this time, you should help your child clean his teeth and gums. Any bleeding or pain will go away in a few days with good cleaning. If cleaning is inadequate, however, the gums will not heal but will become inflamed. Then they will be swollen and red and hurt worse than ever! Even so, good cleaning will heal inflammation.
If your child has an elevated temperature the next morning, has prolonged vomiting, has difficulty breathing, or has any other special problem, do not hesitate to call or take them to your nearest emergency room.
Prior to leaving the hospital/outpatient center, you will be given a detailed list of “Post-Op Instructions” and an emergency contact number if needed.