For the safety of the patient, all of the instructions below must be followed prior to sedation.  Neglecting any of these items can result in the cancellation of treatment.  

EATING & DRINKING 

Alcoholic beverages should not be consumed for at least 48 hours prior to the procedure. Do not eat anything 8 hours prior to the appointment. Clear liquids, such as water, apple juice, and Gatorade, may be consumed up to 2.5 hours prior to the appointment. If you have any issues or conditions which may be complicated by a change in eating schedule, such as diabetes or hypoglycemia, please contact the office prior to the appointment. These guidelines may be altered as needed. 

MEDICATIONS & DRUG USE 

Please take all of your regular medications at the usual time, unless advised otherwise by your doctor.  

For your safety, the use of “street drugs” (Marijuana, Cocaine, Heroin, etc.) is strictly forbidden for several weeks prior to treatment. The mixture of “street drugs” and anesthetic agents can result in very serious complications, including death. 

WHAT TO WEAR 

Do not wear contact lenses on the day of the procedure; please wear glasses. 

Wear flat shoes with a short sleeve, loose-fitting shirt, and comfortable pants.  

Do not wear make-up or valuable jewelry. 

Please remove nail polish and acrylic nails. Several monitoring devices will be used, including a blood pressure cuff and a finger sensor.  

TRANSPORTATION 

A responsible adult must accompany the patient to the office and drive the patient home after the procedure. Your designated driver will need to remain in the office during treatment. We cannot release you without a driver/caretaker. For your safety, public transportation (taxi, city bus, Uber, etc.) must not be used. 

CHANGES IN HEALTH 

Please inform the office of any change in health prior to your appointment, especially the development of a  cold or fever. For your safety, you may be rescheduled for another day. Oral sedation is not intended for pregnant and/or nursing patients. 

Payment is expected on the day of treatment and should be completed prior to sedation. 

Please arrive one hour before the scheduled appointment with your designated driver; the sedative medication will be administered in the office after signing all consent forms.

The sedative drugs used for dental treatment will cause drowsiness for several hours and significantly alter judgment and reflexes; it is important that the patient rest and remain under the supervision of an adult for the remainder of the day. As the sedative drugs wear off, the patient may seem as if they are acting normally,  but the effects of the medication can last up to 24 hours even if the patient states that they “feel normal.” 

A sedated patient may experience any of the following: 

• Alertness one minute, then drowsiness/sleepiness the next minute; sleepiness may last 4-8 hours ∙ Dizziness and/or lack of coordination 

• Occasional irritability, mood swings, or hallucinations throughout the day 

• Poor appetite with nausea and/or vomiting 

• Sleep problems, including nightmares, inability to sleep, or fear of sleeping 

TRAVELING HOME: 

• Please go directly home from our office 

• The patient must be secured in a seat belt with the seat in a semi-reclined position 

REST AND ACTIVITY: 

• Allow rest. The patient should sleep on their side. Avoid extra pillows and blankets. 

• If sleeping for an extended period, wake the patient every 1-2 hours to drink water 

• Hold the patient’s arm when walking 

DRINKING AND EATING: 

• Once the patient is able, encourage clear liquids such as water, apple juice, and Gatorade 

• Do not feed the patient until they are completely awake 

• If hungry - and only if the patient has been able to tolerate clear liquids - try giving soup, rice, noodles, smoothies, or scrambled eggs. If vomiting occurs, stop eating for 30-60 minutes, and then resume clear fluids 

PAIN, NAUSEA, AND FEVER: 

• Pain medications and/or antibiotics on an empty stomach are the main cause of nausea. 

• Give Tylenol, Motrin, or Advil as directed, preferably before numbing wears off. Avoid Aspirin. 

FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS: 

• Do not participate in outdoor activities such as swimming, cycling, gymnastics, etc. 

• Do not climb and/or descend stairs 

• Do not drive or operate heavy machinery 

• Do not make important decisions or sign any important documents 

• Do not consume alcohol or milk products 

• Do not leave the patient unsupervised

IF YOU ARE CONCERNED, WE ARE CONCERNED 

PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE WITH ANY QUESTIONS