We understand that there is some stress involved when your child is going to the oral surgeon for a procedure. This may be their first surgical procedure and you probably have a list of questions for the doctor.
It’s normal for parents whose children are having a surgical procedure to be concerned. That’s why we do everything we can to make sure the day of the procedure runs as smoothly for your child and you.
One of the most common questions we receive is whether or not you’re allowed to enter the operatory with your child. The answer often depends on the situation and there are times when the doctor may ask that you remain in the waiting room until the procedure is completed.
During the procedure
When your child arrives, a parent or legal guardian must accompany them to the appointment and remain at our office for the entire length of the procedure. During the surgery, your child will be under the specialized care of our oral surgeons and assistants. Once the procedure is completed, our team will notify you and provide you with instructions for post-op care of your child. We also require that a parent or legal guardian accompany your child home.
For toddlers and young children, there may be a benefit of having one parent in the operatory with them prior to the surgery. But for most children, it’s in the best interest of the child to be treated without the presence of their parent. This has been supported as a best practice from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and it’s been shown that children over the age of 3 respond better to dental treatments when their parents are out of sight or in the waiting room.
This of course is different for some circumstances and it’s important to ask the doctor what’s best. Our doctors and staff have experience working with kids and handling many behavioral issues that may happen during the appointment. For surgical procedures, your oral surgeon may also handle things differently depending on the case and if your child has any special needs that need attended to.
At Alfano Oral Surgery, we want you and your child to feel 100% comfortable, so we encourage you to ask any questions before, during, and after the surgery.