FREQUENTLY Asked Questions
What is the purpose of a surgery center?
A dental surgery center offers a hospital-like setting for doctors to perform dental procedures while patients are under general anesthesia in a safe, controlled environment. These centers are staffed by clinical professionals, such as Registered Nurse, Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), a dental or medical anesthesiologist, and dental assistants. Our facility is accredited and Medicare Certified which means we are visited by licensing agencies to verify our quality and safety standards.
why cant my child eat before surgery?
The NPO (nothing by mouth) policy is important because patients who have full stomachs are at risk for getting food or liquid in their lungs during anesthesia or sedation. This could cause pneumonia or other serious health problems. Even chewing gum or sucking on hard candies can delay your child's sedation. We know it is hard to keep children from eating when they are hungry. However, your child's safety depends on you following the NPO guidelines.
why do i need to remain in the building during my CHILD'S PROCEDURE?
Dentistry is not always predictable. So even though we have obtained consent from you for certain procedures, sometimes things change. We need you present so that if or when changes happen, we can inform you of these changes.
can i accompany my child to the surgery room?
Our facility is not a traditional dental office. We are a surgery center, the same type of place one would go for knee surgery or tonsil removal. We keep our operating room up to infection control standards. That means that the people who enter the rooms are limited to those involved in the procedure and who are appropriately dressed and covered. It may be helpful to know that the medication given to your child prior to entering the OR cause some amnesia, meaning they don't usually remember the separation from you or the injection. Rest assured, they are not alone. Every surgery has a minimum of four people in the OR, the anesthesiologist, the dentist and two assistants.
Why can't step-parent or grandparent bring my child to the appointment?
Privacy (HIPPA) laws are in place to protect patient information. The law required the biological parent or legal guardian be the one informed of the procedure, risks, alternatives, and have questions answered to obtain legal consent. As the parent or guardian of a child planned for surgery, this information is important for you to hear directly.
Will i get a prescription for pain medication or antibiotics?
The simple answer is no. Pain medication may be given in the IV if the Dr. feels it will be necessary. And since we have treated the cause of the infection, antibiotics should not be necessary. After the appointment, the nurse may advise you on what your may give your child if you feel they need it.
We have a birthday party to attend today, is it okay to go?
It is advised that you plan on being home the rest of the day. Every child is different and the affects of the medication will vary with each person. Please do not send them back to school or let them play unattended for the entire day.
Why do you have to take new x-rays?
New x-rays are required because treatment can change from the time you were referred to scheduling. Also, if x-rays were emailed over they may not be clear enough to be able to diagnosis. We need to see exactly what the condition of the teeth and the extent of the decay before properly diagnosing the treatment.
Why don't you know how long the procedure will take?
Many times patients are referred to us because the child was not cooperative for the exam or x-rays. For this reason we do not know exactly what the treatment will be until the patient is asleep and we can get the x-rays and do a thorough exam. Once we are able to get the treatment plan we can give you an estimate of how long they will be in the OR.
Why can't you do white crowns on all of the teeth?
Our office does not carry white crowns for the back teeth. We are only able to offer white crowns for the upper front teeth. The white crowns that we do offer are not typically a covered benefit with your dental insurance and will be an out of pocket expense. Please call our office to see what these could cost you.
Why do you have to pull my CHILD'S teeth?
If the decay has reached into the nerve and there is not enough tooth structure to place a filling our crown, the tooth will need to be pulled. If this badly decayed tooth does not get removed, it is likely to cause an infection that could ultimately cause damage to the permanent teeth and could also lead to serious medical complications and hospitalization.
Do I come back to your office for a follow up?
Once we have completed the treatment, you will return to your primary dentist for all future follow ups. And we recommend that you see your dentist every six months. If your child is having an issue with treatment that was completed here, call your primary dentist so they can evaluate the situation. If it requires additional treatment, they will send a referral back to us.