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Dr.
Welch understands parents’ concerns about the fears their children
possess in regard to receiving dental care. Many tell him they fear
going to the dentist themselves and want things to be different for
their own children. He and his staff employ a variety of methods to
ensure that goal is realized.
The office
environment a child enters into plays a big part in either
contributing to or reducing anxiety. When children are at ease with
their surroundings they tend to adopt a more relaxed attitude. Dr
Welch’s office has been designed especially for children. They will
feel right at home with the open atmosphere, cheerful colors and
Tiki Hut theme. Our reception area offers a quiet video games room,
plenty of toys and movies to watch to keep your child entertained
and at ease.
Communicating with children on their level is one of the most
important ways to reduce their fears. Dr. Welch and his staff are
excellent communicators with children. They have a great deal of
experience at it because it’s what they do all day long. They
constantly apply a technique known as “Tell – Show – Do”. They tell
the child what they are going to do in terms they can easily
understand. Then they demonstrate it to them. Then they do it. The
technique is as effective as it is simple but it is frequently
ignored because it takes a little extra time. Children can’t be
rushed and should be given the time they deserve.
If cavities develop and Dr. Welch has to provide dental treatment.
There are several methods to help reduce your child’s anxiety
including:
Nitrous
Oxide /
Conscious
Sedation /
I.V.
Sedation
Nitrous Oxide
Some children are given nitrous oxide/oxygen, or what you may know
as laughing gas, to relax them for their dental treatment. Nitrous
oxide/oxygen is a blend of two gases, oxygen and nitrous oxide.
Nitrous oxide/oxygen is given through a small breathing mask which
is placed over the child’s nose, allowing them to relax, but without
putting them to sleep. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry,
recognizes this technique as a very safe, effective technique to use
for treating children’s dental needs. The gas is mild, easily taken,
then with normal breathing, it is quickly eliminated from the body.
It is non-addictive. While inhaling nitrous oxide/oxygen, your child
remains fully conscious and keeps all natural reflexes.
Prior to your appointment:
-
Please
inform us of any change to your child’s health and/or medical
condition.
-
Tell
us about any respiratory condition that makes breathing through
the nose difficult for your child. It may limit the effectiveness
of the nitrous oxide/oxygen.
-
Let us
know if your child is taking any medication on the day of the
appointment.
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Conscious
Sedation
Conscious Sedation is recommended for apprehensive children, very
young children, children with special needs, or children with
extensive treatment plans. It is used to calm your child and to
reduce the anxiety or discomfort associated with dental treatments.
Your child may be quite drowsy, but they will not become
unconscious.
There are a variety of different medications, which can be used for
conscious sedation. The doctor will prescribe the medication best
suited for your child’s overall health and dental treatment
recommendations. We will be happy to answer any questions you might
have concerning the specific drugs we plan to give to your child.
Prior to your appointment:
-
Please
notify us of any change in your child’s health and/or medical
condition. 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.
-
Please
make sure that your child goes to the bathroom immediately prior
to arriving at the office.
Your
child should not have solid food for at least 6 hours prior to
their sedation appointment and only clear liquids for up to 4
hours before the appointment.
The
child’s parent or legal guardian must remain at the office during
the complete procedure.
Please
watch your child closely while the medication is taking effect.
Hold them in your lap or keep close to you. Do not let them "run
around."
Your
child will act drowsy and may become slightly excited at first.
After
the sedation appointment:
-
Your
child will be drowsy and will need to be monitored very closely.
Keep your child away from areas of potential harm.
-
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 to prevent nausea.
The first meal should be light and easily digestible.
-
If
your child vomits, help them bend over and turn their head to the
side to insure that they do not inhale the vomit.
-
Because we use local anesthetic to numb your child’s mouth during
the procedure, your child may have the tendency to bite or chew
their lips, cheeks, and/or tongue and/or rub and scratch their
face after treatment. Please observe your child carefully to
prevent any injury to these areas.
-
Please
call our office for any questions or concerns that you might have.
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I.V. Sedation
I.V. Sedation is
recommended for apprehensive children, very young children, and
children with special needs that would not work well under conscious
sedation. The dentist performs the dental treatment in our office
with the child anesthetized under I.V. sedation, which is
administered and monitored by an anesthesiologist.
Prior to your
appointment:
-
Please
notify us of any change in your child’s health and/or medical
condition. 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.
-
Please
make sure that your child goes to the bathroom immediately prior
to arriving at the office.
Your
child should not have milk or solid food after midnight prior to
the scheduled procedure and clear liquids ONLY (water, apple
juice, Gatorade) for up to 6 hours prior to the appointment.
The
child’s parent or legal guardian must remain at the office during
the complete procedure.
After the
sedation appointment:
-
Your
child will be drowsy and will need to be monitored very closely.
Keep your child away from areas of potential harm.
-
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 to prevent nausea.
The first meal should be light and easily digestible.
-
If
your child vomits, help them bend over and turn their head to the
side to insure that they do not inhale the vomit.
-
Please
call our office for any questions or concerns that you might have.
While all of these
methods usually reduce fear and anxiety, some children may still
exhibit apprehension regardless of the efforts made to put them at
ease. When that is the case there is no substitute for the patience
you constantly see exhibited by Dr. Welch and his staff. When other
options are ineffective, demonstrating patience to a child
eventually wins out. Nothing brings more joy to Dr. Welch and his
staff than seeing frightened children replace their fears with
confidence and their frowns with smiles.
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Appointments
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