Children with Dental Anxiety

Pediatric Dentistry

Poplar Bluff Children's Dentistry

Children with dental anxiety present in many different forms and we at Poplar bluff children's dentistry are prepared for them all!!


Nitrous Oxide:


Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is considered one to the safest and most common 'drugs" used in pediatric dentistry. Nitrous oxide is a gas that may help your child relax and cope with the stress of a dental visit.  This gas is also used in combination with oral sedation/pediatric moderate sedation and other management techniques due to is added saftey benefit of delivering more oxygen to your child than is found in ordinary room air.  Nitrous oxide does not replace the need for local anesthetic (an injection in the mouth to numb a tooth prior to treatment) and works best in school-age children.


Conscious Sedation/Pediatric Moderate Sedation:


Some children benefit from being sedated before dental treatment.  The sedation procedures in our office involve the use of drugs that will make your child sleepy and less likely to remember the dental visit.  All conscious sedation/pediatric moderate sedation drugs are given by specialized board certified anesthesia providers and your child is monitored by them personally while Dr. Daves performs the dental treatment.  Usually, nitrous oxide is also needed.  It works best on children 7 and under who only need one to two appointments to complete their treatment needs. 


Children will sleep through the treatment 70-80% of the time.  In the remaining cases, the children will be partially awake or awake and may cry and/or resist treatment during the procedure.


If pediatric moderate sedation is recommended at your child's exam visit, Dr. Daves may recommend that your child be immobilized to prevent injury during the sedation appointment.  Dr. Daves and her anesthesia providers will answer any questions.  Sometimes conscious sedation/pediatric moderate sedation may not be effective and she may recommend that your child be treated with general anesthesia.




Deep Sedation/General Anesthesia:


Dental treatment can be provided while your child is given a deep sedation/general anesthetic.  In the use of deep sedation/general anesthesia, dedicated specialized board certified anesthesia providers will administer the anesthetic while in the presence of Dr. Daves.  Anesthetic IV medications are given to you child that will keep them asleep during the procedure.  All the dental treatment needs can usually be completed in one visit.  General anesthesia is done in a hospital or ambulatory surgery center.


We understand that every child is different and one behavior management option may prove more beneficial than another.  At your child's appointment, Dr. Daves will discuss your child's treatment needs with you and and explain any recommendations for care.  You will always have the opportunity to discuss treatment or any related anesthesia issue with Dr. Daves and her anesthesia providers.