Parents usually arrive with the same three questions: is it safe, what does it cost, and what do I have to do on the day. This page answers those from published sources, and adds the one parents most often miss - that an escort and a quiet rest of the day are not optional with the deeper options.
What the published guidance says
Published clinical guidance notes that where a child is anxious, a dentist may use a liquid sedation such as midazolam syrup (Versed). The reasons are the same as for adults: fear, an inability to hold still, a strong gag reflex, or treatment that takes longer than a child can manage.
What it costs
Parents usually arrive with the same three questions: is it safe, what does it cost, and what do I have to do on the day. This page answers those from published sources, and adds the one parents most often miss - that an escort and a quiet rest of the day are not optional with the deeper options.
Frequently asked questions
Is sedation safe for children?
These medicines are used in dentistry for children, and published guidance lists anxious children among the patients they are used for. Safety depends on the assessment your dentist makes - including medical history - so declare everything.
Do both parents need to come?
Not necessarily, but a responsible adult must be there to take the child home and stay with them afterwards for the deeper sedation types.
What about the cost for a child?
The published ranges are per sedation event, not per age: nitrous $50 - $150 per visit, oral conscious sedation $150 - $500 per appointment, IV $250 - $1,000+ per visit. Plans frequently cap or exclude sedation.
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