Visiting the dentist, while necessary, can often be a stressful experience for children. At Sprout Kids Dentistry in Quincy, MA, we are committed to offering comfortable dental care solutions with sleep dentistry in mind. What exactly is sleep dentistry? It’s a way to make your child’s experience at the dentist much more comfortable and stress-free. Let’s take a close look at this unique type of dentistry!

What is Sleep Dentistry?

Sleep dentistry, or pediatric sedation dentistry, involves the use of general anesthesia (or IV sedation) to relax children during dental procedures. It is commonly used in pediatric dentistry to reduce dental anxiety and ensure a smooth process—even for kids who find it hard to sit still.

It can put your child at ease and aid in accomplishing everything in a single visit. As an added bonus, your child will likely have no memory of the procedure, which helps us build positive, stress-free dental experiences

Why Choose Sprout Kids Dentistry for Sleep Dentistry?

Under the expert guidance of Dr. Michelle Anderson, DMD, and a board certified Anesthesiologist and licensed EMT, our team of experts can offer kids sleep dentistry in Quincy and across Norfolk County. We adhere to rigorous safety protocols to ensure your child gets the best and the safest care possible.

The Benefits of Sleep Dentistry

Beyond the calming effect, sleep dentistry offers a wide range of benefits, including the following:

Safe and Easy Procedures

With sleep dentistry, your child can remain calm and relaxed, allowing dental procedures to be conducted safely and efficiently.

Improved Oral Health

This approach enables thorough cleaning and treatment of your child’s teeth in one session, improving their overall oral health.

Saves Time

Being able to accomplish multiple treatments in a single visit saves time and reduces the number of visits required.

Sleep Dentistry Tips Before Your Child’s Appointment

Before your appointment, there are a few things you’ll want to do to prepare your child for the sleep dentistry experience.

Children

A parent or legal guardian must accompany children under 18 to the consultation and surgery. 

Tell Your Child They Are Going To Sleep for Some Dental Care

Explain the process to your child to lessen their fear. Use child appropriate words to describe the day. Dr. Anderson and her team will also be present to answer any questions your child may have.

Fasting

You may need to fast for 6–8 hours before surgery, depending on your appointment time. You should avoid eating or drinking anything, including water, during this time. 

Medications

You can usually take your regular medications with a small amount of water, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. 

Clothing

• Wear loose-fitting, short-sleeved clothing. 
• Bring a change of underwear, or diapers.
• Bring an extra pair of sweatpants just in case your child urinates, or soils their underwear during or after the procedure.

Accessories

Avoid letting your child wear jewelry such as necklaces. For little girls, you may need to remove nail polish from at least their index fingers so it does not interfere with our pulse oximeter.

Transportation

A responsible adult must drive you and your child home after surgery. You should not use Uber, Lyft, or ride share for your journey home in case you are faced with a medical emergency en route. You should not drive yourself home without another adult to ride in the back seat with your child. Children should use a booster seat when they weigh between 40 and 80 pounds. Children can use a forward-facing seat when they weigh between 20 and 40 pounds.

Schedule An Appointment Today!

At Sprout Kids Dentistry, we’re always here to make the dentist visit less worrying for both you and your child. With sleep dentistry, we aim to offer a completely comfortable experience. Schedule an appointment today by calling our Quincy, MA office at 617-934-6339 or fill out our online contact form. Let us guide your child towards a lifetime of healthy smiles!

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