Anxious Patients and Treatment Under General Anaesthetic

All general anaesthetic consults take 1 hour, where the child has a wonderful experience of putting the chair up and down, picking glasses, playing guessing games and having NO treatment other than using the dental chair triplex to blow up a balloon of their colour choice.

Teeth and gums are examined, often radiographs are taken and of course an extra prize is given if radiographs are taken. The child is weighed in case a script is needed for antibiotics, and their teeth are painted for everyone to check how their toothbrushing is going and any teeth or areas they are missing. Then it is off to the prize room for the child, to select a prize, a sticker, a colour-in, and/or toys to play with from the toy box.

Meanwhile Dr Mary-anne Slater will discuss with the parent why there is decay or other tooth problems, and what to do at home to reduce these problems. Often it is simple — changing toothpaste to a stronger fluoride toothpaste, or a less minty tasting toothpaste so the child is happy to clean their teeth, not rinsing toothpaste off, reducing sugar snacks and drinks during the week. Finally, we will discuss what teeth need to be treated under general anaesthetic and why.

This is a very open, genuine, caring conversation, with no judgment, as there is usually multiple causes why teeth decay. There is always the opportunity during and at the end of the appointment to ask any questions.

A summary of this discussion is emailed to the parents along with the quote for general anaesthetics, as often in a consultation there is a lot to take in. We do not want you to think you have missed out on any important or helpful information or advice.

Treatment is performed at Calvary Riverina Surgicentre, 329 Edward Street, Wagga Wagga, phone 02 6925 4700.

You will phone them the day before to find out what time to arrive and when your child is to fast from — that is, not eat. When you arrive you will be taken to meet a nurse and the anaesthetist to discuss what will happen. You will also see Dr Mary-anne Slater to confirm the treatment planned, with the opportunity to ask any questions.

Anaesthetists are among the most skilled and extensively trained medical professionals and perform their duties under highly controlled conditions in a hospital setting. When administering anaesthesia to a child undergoing a dental procedure, the anaesthetist will work closely with Dr Mary-anne Slater who is performing the treatment.

Usually, the general anaesthetic will begin with gases delivered via a pink mask. Dr Mary-Anne Slater will then perform the surgery or treatment.

Following the procedure, the child will be taken to a recovery room, where the parent or carer will join them, along with a nurse who will monitor their recovery. Children are often a little upset and disoriented upon waking, but when this passes, they will be discharged from the hospital — usually two to three hours later. When asked at the next appointment what the child remembers, they say the prize they opened at the end of their treatment.

Dr Mary-anne Slater will phone two times over the next few weeks to review your child’s recovery. An operation report will be emailed to you and the referring dentist regarding treatment performed, and any recommendations regarding toothpaste, space maintenance and follow-up reviews, either with the referring dentist, Dr Mary-Anne Slater or a specialist orthodontist.