Pre-Op Instructions

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When it comes to dental treatments and our children, most parents want to make sure they prepare properly before any procedures. For the most part, dental treatments require very little preparation outside of getting your child ready and explaining what happens, however, in situations where sedation is used, some pre-op instructions are necessary.

Preparing Your Child for Their Dental Treatment

Wondering how you can prepare your child for their dental treatment such as a filling, extraction or pulpectomy? Unless your child is receiving nitrous oxide, oral or IV sedation, preparation should be fairly simple. We suggest you discuss the treatment with your child and explain why it is necessary to keep their smile healthy. Some parents may think offering a “reward” will help calm their child, however, in our experience children may associate the reward with treatment being “bad” or “scary.” If you have any questions about your child’s dental treatment prior to their appointment, don’t hesitate to contact our Houston pediatric dental office, we would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Preoperative Instructions for Nitrous Oxide Appointments

If your child is receiving Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) during their dental treatment at Urbach Pediatric Dentistry, there are some preoperative instructions we would like you to keep in mind:

  • Your child should have nothing to eat and no diary for 2-4 hours before their appointment. Clear liquids including water, Gatorade, or juice without a pulp are okay up until the time of the appointment. If your child has special circumstances that require food more often, please discuss with your dentist.
  • Arrive at our Houston dental office at the time you are told.
  • If your child has asthma or another respiratory disorder which requires an inhaler and/or nebulizer be sure to bring them to the appointment. Please also inform us prior to the appointment that this is the case.
  • If your child is taking any prescribed medications (including inhalers, ADD/ADHD medications), herbal, or over-the-counter medications, please inform us of these medications. Please also check to see if these medications should be taken the day of their sedation.

Preoperative Instructions for Oral Sedation Appointments

If your child is receiving sedation during their dental treatment at Urbach Pediatric Dentistry, there are some preoperative instructions we would like you to keep in mind:

  • Do NOT give your child any food or beverages for a minimum of 6 hours before their sedation appointment unless you are given different instructions. If your child has special circumstances that require food more often, please discuss with your dentist.
  • If your child’s health and/or medical conditions change during the week prior to their appointment, please contact us before the day of their appointment. Depending on what is going on, we may suggest rescheduling the appointment. This is done solely for the health and safety of your little one.
  • If your child is taking any prescribed medications (including inhalers, ADD/ADHD medications), herbal, or over-the-counter medications, please inform us of these medications. Please also check to see if these medications should be taken the day of their sedation.
  • Arrive at our Houston dental office at the exact time you are told.
  • We recommend only bringing your child receiving treatment so that you can focus all of your attention on them.
  • Please bring another adult with you to the appointment so that one adult can focus on the child during the transport home.
  • Dress your child in comfortable and loose-fitting clothing.
  • If your child has asthma or another respiratory disorder which requires an inhaler and/or nebulizer be sure to bring them to the appointment. Please also inform us prior to the appointment that this is the case.

If you have any additional questions regarding pre-op instructions, your child’s treatment or sedation dentistry, don’t hesitate to contact our Houston pediatric dentist. We would be happy to discuss any questions and/or concerns you may have and hope to make this experience as comfortable and relaxing as possible.