The sedation team typically has four members: The anesthesiologist and the registered nurse from Mercy Hospital, our dentist and at least one of our dental assistants. Each member of the sedation team is trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and has also received additional training by completing the Premier Dental Anesthesiology sedation monitoring course certified by the Missouri Dental Board.
Your child will be evaluated by a member of the Mercy Hospital anesthesiology team before obtaining clearance for the dental procedure. The evaluation may be done over the phone by one of their registered nurses or on the day of your child’s procedure by the anesthesiologist.
Remember to make sure your child has nothing to eat or drink, including water, after midnight the night before their procedure unless otherwise instructed by our dentist or the anesthesiologist. This and other specific pre-op instructions will be given to the parents before the procedure.
The Mercy Hospital anesthesiologist will be with your child from the moment they go to sleep until the time they are fully awake and responding to questions. General anesthesia renders most patients asleep, thus insensitive to pain. Our Mercy Hospital team will not only administer medications, but they also make informed medical judgments during the procedure to protect and regulate your child’s critical life functions.
The anesthetic agents used are safe and painless. While our dentist focuses on your child’s treatment, the trained anesthesiologist monitors your child’s anesthetic care prior to, during and after the procedure.
Individual reactions to the anesthetic may vary, but typical side effects include nausea or a sore throat. In the unlikely event that your child does have nausea afterwards, there are excellent medications to deal with this problem and help them feel comfortable.
Each member of the sedation team will be available if needed while your child is in the recovery room. Your child will be continually monitored until it is determined that they are ready to be released. Each patient must be released to a responsible adult and driven safely home.
The Mercy Hospital office will coordinate with both you and your dentist to quickly and efficiently schedule your procedure. Billing is separate for Premier Dental Anesthesiology services. Mercy Hospital requires payment in advance, which will be collected by their office. Although they do not anticipate most insurance companies covering their services, Mercy Hospital will be delighted to bill your insurances if you request. Any proceeds received from the insurance providers will be refunded to you. For your convenience, Mercy Hospital accepts all major credit cards and CareCredit®. Our dental office will work with you to help you understand this payment process.
State Law requires medical insurance to cover general anesthesia services for the following individuals:
If your child requires more rigorous care to restore their smile, we invite you to call our office at 314-355-9600 and schedule a consultation with Dr. Sams to learn more about our in-office sedation options.