Hospital Dentistry

For some children, having treatment performed safely in the office can be a significant problem. Examples of this would be very young children who lack the ability to cooperate, physically and mentally handicapped children, and those with fears that are so great that they cannot be controlled with normal behavioral management techniques. If extensive dental treatment is needed for these patients, the best solution may be to have the treatment performed under general anesthesia, in a same-day hospital setting. Dr. Lerman has extensive training and experience in treating children in the hospital under anesthesia.

If general anesthesia is necessary for children with dental restorative needs, it is most safely performed in a hospital by appropriately trained personnel. The anesthesia is administered by experienced anesthetists, who closely monitor the patient throughout the procedure. While complications are rare, the anesthetists are well trained to manage any that may arise.

Children who require general anesthesia are required to have a physical examination by their pediatrician prior to the procedure date. Since the child cannot have anything to eat or drink on the morning of the procedure, every attempt is made to do the procedure as early in the day as possible. All the treatment will be completed in one visit. The child will be discharged when alert and ready to depart. It is usually best to have the child rest at home with minimal activities for the remainder of the day.