Sedation Dentistry
Safe, effective sedation options to help your child feel comfortable and relaxed during dental treatment.
At Smiling Kidds in Jacksonville, we understand that some children may feel nervous or anxious about visiting the dentist. Dental anxiety is common, especially when a child is in an unfamiliar environment, meeting new people, or unsure of what to expect during dental treatment.
Our caring dental teams take the time to understand each child's individual needs and create a calm, supportive experience. For children who experience dental anxiety or need additional help feeling comfortable during treatment, sedation dentistry may be an option. Our team will work with parents and caregivers to determine the appropriate approach based on their child's needs and recommended dental care.
How We Help Your Child Overcome Anxiety
Dental anxiety is common in children, and our caring teams use a variety of approaches to help your child feel safe, comfortable, and supported throughout their dental visit. These may include:
Providing gentle reassurance and encouragement to help your child feel comfortable throughout their visit.
Taking time to answer your child's questions and explain what to expect in simple, age-appropriate language.
Taking time to get to know your child's unique personality, interests, likes, and dislikes to help them feel more comfortable and at ease.
Building a trusting relationship with your child and helping create positive dental experiences that can last as they grow.
Smiling Kidds Dentistry offers safe and effective sedation dentistry options for children who may need additional support feeling calm and comfortable during dental treatment. Our team will consider your child's individual needs, level of anxiety, and recommended treatment to determine the most appropriate approach. By creating positive dental experiences, we hope to help children build trust and confidence with dental care over time.
Our Sedation Options
Nitrous Oxide
Mild sedation administered in-office
Nitrous oxide, sometimes called "laughing gas," is a mild form of sedation that can help children feel more calm and comfortable during dental treatment. It is administered through a small mask placed over your child's nose, allowing them to breathe normally while the nitrous oxide takes effect.
During nitrous oxide sedation, your child remains awake and able to communicate and follow instructions, allowing our dental team to provide reassurance throughout the appointment. Once treatment is complete, the nitrous oxide is stopped and your child breathes oxygen as the effects wear off. Our team will provide any instructions you need before leaving the office.
General Anesthesia in the Surgery Center
Lakeside Dental Surgery Center
Smiling Kidds Dentistry also provides dental treatment for qualifying children at Lakeside Dental Surgery Center, an ambulatory surgery center dedicated to providing dental care for children in a comfortable, specialized surgical setting. With multiple surgery days available each month, the center provides families with greater access to dental treatment when anesthesia is recommended.
Anesthesia services are provided and monitored by board-certified pediatric anesthesiologists while the Smiling Kidds dental team provides the necessary dental care. This option may be appropriate for children with extensive dental treatment needs, special needs, dental anxiety, or other circumstances that make completing treatment in a traditional dental office more challenging.
General Anesthesia in the Hospital
Wolfson Children's Hospital
For some children with special needs, complex medical histories, or extensive dental treatment needs, a hospital or ambulatory surgery center may provide an appropriate setting for completing dental treatment safely and comfortably. Smiling Kidds Dentistry provides comprehensive dental treatment for qualifying children at Wolfson Children's Hospital in Jacksonville.
In the hospital setting, anesthesia is administered and continuously monitored by a board-certified pediatric anesthesiologist while a Smiling Kidds dentist completes the necessary dental treatment. Our doctors treat patients at Wolfson Children's Hospital on scheduled hospital days throughout the month, providing families with access to dental care when a hospital setting is recommended.
Building a Bright Dental Future
At Smiling Kidds Dentistry, our goal is to help every child feel safe, comfortable, and supported while receiving the dental care they need. Creating positive dental experiences early can help children build trust and confidence in dental care while establishing healthy habits that can continue as they grow.
Every child is different, and some may need additional support to complete dental treatment comfortably. If your child experiences dental anxiety, has special needs, requires extensive dental treatment, or has had difficulty with dental visits in the past, talk with our team about your concerns. We can discuss the sedation and anesthesia options available and help determine the most appropriate approach for your child's individual needs.
Contact Smiling Kidds Dentistry today to schedule an appointment and learn more about our sedation dentistry options for children.
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Ready to Give Your Child a Healthy Smile?
Schedule your child's appointment today. We accept a variety of insurance options, including PPO plans and state-funded dental plans such as Liberty, DentaQuest, and MCNA. New patients are always welcome!
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