Dental surgery for kids with special needs is the topic of the day, as it was yesterday. Guest blogger Amy Stout is back again with 5 more tips she learned when her daughter’s shark teeth required dental surgery.

Pediatric Dental Surgery Tip #6

Pack a cup (no straws or sippy cups) and your child’s favorite beverage in a thermos. Put them in the trunk or back of your vehicle—out of reach of your child. Keep it in the vehicle until your child is in surgery. Once your child is in surgery, go get the beverage and cup and have it ready for your child for when they wake up in the recovery room. The hospital will have options to offer you, but your child will feel so much better if their comfort beverage is available.

Pediatric Dental Surgery Tip #7

Be honest with your child ahead of time and at the hospital, but do not give your child too much information. My daughter is always asking “What’s next?” She wants details. So, what we told her was that we were going to see our friend, the dentist, because he was going to help us make sure there would be enough room for her pretty big girl teeth to come in. That information was just enough. Do not give the gory details of surgery, or a play-by-play of medical equipment and stitches. Do tell children that medical professionals care about them and want to keep them safe.

Pediatric Dental Surgery Tip #8

Present medical professionals in a positive light. We constantly tell our daughter that our medical professionals are our friends. We always point out fun things about them. “Our dentist is so nice, he sings to your teeth,” we tell her. He does sing to her teeth. Our daughter is really big into numbers and counting, so he also will count her teeth to help calm her. Also, when entering a strange room with lots of equipment and antiseptic smells, be sure to comment about how “cool” all that neat stuff is!

Pediatric Dental Surgery Tip #9

Make sure mom and dad are at their best. Line up support from family and friends to have a meal or two delivered so that you can focus on your child once you arrive home and even the night before. Gift cards for ordering in work great too. It was hard and humbling, but I emailed my friends and family and asked if any were available to provide a meal or gift card. I am so thankful I did!

Consider setting up a Caring Bridge site so you can keep all family and friends updated with one message. Also, pack a breakfast for you to eat after your child is in surgery. An amazing friend made us mini muffins to take with us. We kept them in the trunk with our daughter’s drink and once she was in surgery, we retrieved them and renewed our energy.

Wear soft comfortable clothing that your child will want to cuddle against. If you normally wear perfume or cologne, wear it, but keep it light.  Your child will be able to recognize you by your scent before they are awake enough to see you. Bring a blanket from home so your child can use it before and after surgery. You can use it while your child is in surgery. And be sure get a good night’s sleep the night before.

Pediatric Dental Surgery Tip #10

If your child experiences sensory issues (sensitivity to light or sound), bring your child’s sunglasses and earmuffs with you. These came in very handy for us with my daughter—especially in the recovery room.

Finally, a few bonus suggestions:

• If your child experiences any allergies or sensitivities, discuss them with your anesthesiologist and medical professional and make a plan in advance of anything happening. (For example: my daughter is terribly allergic to all adhesives. We made an advanced plan that included what medications and creams to use and when to call the hospital if something serious were to occur.)
• Be prepared for your child to come out of anesthesia in a very emotional way—usually, either angry or sad.  In our case, because of the Versed calming drug, our daughter woke up and was very quiet and calm. However, many children around us were crying. We actually had to leave early because all the crying was bothering our daughter.
• Know your hospital’s policy and state law regarding extracted teeth. In our case and in our state, the law considers teeth to be a body part. Every body part that is removed during surgery must go to the pathology lab. However, since there was no decay or infection in the teeth, we could pick the teeth up once the lab had completed their tests/review. (Decayed teeth are classified as a biohazard and cannot be returned. In that case, have white tic-tacs on hand to leave for the tooth fairy.)

What Tips Would You Add?

Has your child with special needs had pediatric dental surgery? What tips did you learn? Leave a comment to share them.

Pediatric Dental Surgery: What Parents Need to Know: Part 1

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