Outpatient General Anesthesia

Our pediatric dentist at Kids R Us Dentistry in Southwest Calgary offers outpatient general anesthesia for children that are apprehensive, very young or those with special needs that would not do well with conscious sedation or laughing gas (nitrous oxide).

General Anaesthesia for Children

Unlike conscious sedation or laughing gas, general anesthesia will render your child completely asleep. This type of anesthesia is performed in a hospital or an outpatient facility only. While the assumed risks may be greater than that of other sedation options, we only recommend general anesthesia if the benefits outweigh any risk. Most pediatric medical literature places the risk of a severe reaction to be far below the assumed risk of of driving a car daily.

Before Their Appointment

Please notify us of any change in your child’s health. Do not bring your child for treatment if they may have a fever, ear infection, or cold. If your child becomes ill, give us a call to determine if it is necessary to postpone their appointment.

You must inform their anesthesiologist of any drugs that your child is currently taking, as well as any drug reactions or allergies.

Let the doctor know if you have any family members that have had a negative experience with general anesthetic.

It is important to follow the strict fasting guidelines of no solids after midnight prior to dental surgery appointment.

Clear liquids, including water and apple juice, are permitted 2 hours prior. It is still best to inquire at the different facilities as to their guidelines so that dental surgery does not get cancelled.

Days before your child’s dental surgery appointment, please notify us of any changes in your child’s health, especially involving fever or respiratory infections.

The Day of the Appointment

We recommend dressing your child in loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. Your child should not consume milk or solid foods after midnight the day before the scheduled procedure and should only have clear liquids (water, apple juice, Gatorade) for up to 2 hours before the appointment.

As their parent or legal guardian, you must remain at the hospital or surgical site, in the waiting room during the procedure.

After Their Appointment

Your child may feel drowsy, and we ask that you monitor them very carefully, to keep them from potential harm. Should they want to sleep, gently place them on their side with their chin up and wake them every hour to encourage them to have something to drink so that they are hydrated.

Begin with sips of clear liquids to help prevent nausea. Until they have no symptoms of nausea, remain with clear liquids including broth, popsicles, and gelatin.

Their first meal should be light and easily digestible. If your child needs to vomit, help them bend them over and turn their head to the side to ensure that they do not inhale their vomit.

Before leaving the hospital or outpatient centre, you will be provided a detailed list of “Post-Op Instructions” and an emergency contact number. We will schedule a post-op appointment for your child 2-3 weeks after their dental surgery.

Key facts on General Anesthesia

General anesthesia is also often used for dental procedures that are very technically complex, prolonged or difficult to perform with any resistance from the patient.
Patients remain completely pain-free during procedures performed under general anesthesia.
It removes the natural stress, fear and anxiety often caused by surgery.
Patients may experience some fatigue, nausea or a mild sore throat following general anesthesia.
Managing and preventing dental and oral health complications for every child, no matter what challenges they may face, is possible.

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Sedation Options

Nitrous Oxide • Conscious Sedation • Outpatient General Anesthesia

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