This is why I refused to allow my son to receive sedation for dental work

[hotmamacita]

This is exactly why I refused last year. And as I gently explained my grave concerns and asked if they could do the procedure while he was awake and with topical, the assistant mocked me and told me that the sedation kept the kids from moving during the procedure and that they wouldn't do dental work on our son unless we agreed to this. We were shocked that we'd have to allow our 4 year old to be sedated and have to sign a waiver in event of death as we did so. Dh and I gently refused and took our son to a regular dentist who fixed ds' cavity while on dh's lap.

That this mixture is the norm, disturbed us and now this story http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060927/...s/dentist_coma it is just so sad. I am so grieved for the parents.

[RubyWild]

I'm glad your son was able to get fillings without sedation. That should be the first choice, absolutely. However, when my then 3 year old needed 3 fillings, she completely flipped out. She never could have had the fillings without sedation, and since she was much, much more likely to be injured in a car accident on the way to the dentist than by sedation, I know that it was the right choice for her. If she ever has another cavity, I hope that she will be mature enough to not be sedated, but I'd do it again if it was as upsetting to her as it was 2 years ago.

[angelpie545]

Oh how awful! : I am against sedation as the norm as well. I remember getting cavities filled when I was a kid and I was never sedated. I think sedation has it's place in dentistry, but I avoid it at all costs. My family is known to have strange reactions to anesthesia so I will never allow sedation for my kids unless it's absolutely necessary. I never allow it for myself either, I have to get two very impacted wisdom teeth pulled and there is no way I'm gonna let them put me under. The scary thing is though, I may have to have an operation in the near future and the thought of having to go under anesthesia scares the living daylights out of me. I can only pray and leave it up to God.
Edited to add: I hope she that mother sues the living daylights out of that dentist. That will teach them to be more careful and examine their procedures with every inch of caution that they can muster.

[~member~]

Originally Posted by angelpie545

I remember getting cavities filled when I was a kid and I was never sedated.

Me, too! Never even got a shot of novacaine or anything.

Diamond

[Ruthla]

Ugh, I SO did not need to read this the night before taking my kids (including my kindergartener) to the dentist.

[TCMoulton]

I have seen quite a bit of coverage of this case on our local news and I think that this might not have been a normal case of sedation - it was reported that the dentist used nitrous, oral sedation, and iv sedation - seems like a bit of overkiill to me. My daughter had oral sedation and she was loopy and sleepy after a small dose - why did this child need three different sedatives (or did the dentist make a mistake?). The mother said that she entered the room and found her daughter unresponsive and not breathing - my question is why was the child left alone in the exam room after so much sedation, why was either the dentist or nurse with her at all times? It was also reported that there is a chance that proper doses were used but that she simply had an allergic reaction to the drugs used and I guess that is a possibility too. Such a sad case - this is the reason that I would never let my child be treated by a dentist that would not allow either me or DH to remain in the room at all times.

[RubyWild]

Originally Posted by TCMoulton

why did this child need three different sedatives (or did the dentist make a mistake?). The mother said that she entered the room and found her daughter unresponsive and not breathing - my question is why was the child left alone in the exam room after so much sedation, why was either the dentist or nurse with her at all times?

That part does sound wrong, nothing like my dd's sedation which was a mild oral sedative that made her very relaxed, but still very responsive. Also, it wasn't mandatory. It was necessary after three failed attempts to get her to do it without sedation. I'm amazed that a group of moms who wouldn't use CIO would suggest that a completely freaked out child should just be forced to suffer through without sedation, when it's called for.

[charmander]

I agree with RubyWild. I would agree to a mild sedative if my child were freaked out.

Sounds like in this case, they used an abnormal amount - or maybe just too many different kinds - of sedatives. I feel really badly for the family.

[HRC121799]

Originally Posted by cmd

Sounds like in this case, they used an abnormal amount - or maybe just too many different kinds - of sedatives. I feel really badly for the family.

definitely sounds like this dentist didn't do a normal sedation!
It definitely does have it's place, when done correctly (I had IV sedation a couple weeks ago for root canals, will have it this coming Tuesday for wisdom teeth, and again a few weeks after that for more dental work. The sedation is the only thing getting me through this!!)

I feel so bad for that family.

[Mama Dragon]

Wow, my dentists (actually all the dentists in the area I think) go to the Surgical center here and a liscenced anethesiologist does the job, the dentists won't or can't by law, I'm not sure. DS1 and DS2 both had to have work done on them at about 2 years old and there was no way we could wait, nor do the work while they were awake. They used 2 different drugs to put them to sleep, I can't see why 3? That poor girl, and family

[indiegirl]

I think sedation has it's place, just like most medical procedures. Life comes with a certain amount of risk and it's all about weighing risk vs. benefit. Seems to me the risk sedation provides is pretty minimal to the general population vs. the possible negative associations with getting work done on a young child.

[dove]

conscious sedation (iv sedation) is really very tricky business. In the hospital, it is very closely monitored by more than one professional. I really have never understood how it could be used in an out of hospital setting (particularly a standard dentistry office) on a child. But, I am assuming risks were explained and that a parent signed consent. If consent is given, it is presumed that the risks are fully explained to that signer's satisfaction. I don't see how mom could sue and win if this is the case. The dentist himself sounds devastated - it's very sad all around.

[Irishmommy]

Please post in Dental.