Sedation Dentistry in Hurst,TX

Behavior Guidance

A child’s reaction to dental work depends on many factors, including, for example, the child’s developmental level, the presence of any disabilities, past positive or negative experiences at the dentist and any parental anxiety. As a result, when working with children, it is essential for dentists to be able to tailor their behavior to meet the needs of the individual patient.

As a board-certified pediatric dentist, Dr. Lin has been trained in a wide variety of behavior guidance techniques to help establish a positive relationship with, and allay the fears of, patients with a broad range of temperaments and developmental levels. In his practice, he works hard to create a positive experience for patients and their parents by

• communicating with children using developmentally appropriate language, which helps young patients understand and get comfortable with their dental treatments;
• scheduling patients in a manner that allows plenty of time for answering questions and addressing concerns;
• providing patients with various types of positive reinforcement, ranging from verbal praise to prizes at the end of a successful visit;
• allowing parents to accompany their children in the operatory rooms during most types of procedures; and
• providing age-appropriate distractions from procedures that may be perceived as unpleasant. To this end, we have a television with children’s movies above each exam chair and stuffed animals available for hugs. Dr. Lin has even been known to sing lullabies to anxious young patients!

By building trust with our patients and creating a fun, relaxing environment, we have been able to complete work for many patients who were referred to us for pediatric sedation dentistry without using any sedation techniques at all.

Pediatric Sedation Dentistry Options

Of course, sometimes children are unable to tolerate necessary pediatric dental treatments with behavior guidance alone. When this happens, pediatric dental sedation can be a safe and effective tool for minimizing the patient’s discomfort and anxiety and/or controlling the patient’s behavior so that necessary dental procedures can be completed safely. At Hurst Pediatric Dentistry, we offer several sedation options:

• Nitrous oxide. Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is a very safe sedative that allows a mildly nervous child to feel calm while remaining awake and able to talk to the dentist. Laughing gas is administered through a mask, which is placed over the child’s nose. It begins working almost immediately, and the effects wear off rapidly after the procedure. Nitrous oxide is one of the safest sedative options in pediatric sedation dentistry. If necessary, it can be used in combination with other sedative agents.
• Oral conscious sedation. Oral sedation is often a safe and effective option for young patients who have difficulty wearing the laughing gas mask and need only minimal amounts of dental work. However, not all children are good candidates for oral sedation. If your child is having difficulty tolerating necessary dental work with nitrous oxide, we will evaluate your child thoroughly to determine whether oral sedation is the best option for your child.
• General anesthesia. If the required dental treatment is extensive and your child is unable to tolerate the treatment with nitrous oxide attempts or oral sedation, general anesthesia may be recommended. General anesthesia will allow your child to remain asleep during the procedure and not feel any pain or remember the treatment. General anesthesia carries certain risks that we will discuss with you if this option is recommended.

Contact Us About Our Pediatric Sedation Dentistry Near You

We serve patients in Hurst and Fort Worth as well as surrounding areas, including Southlake, Euless, Colleyville, Keller and North Richland Hills. Call our office today at (817) 510-6400 to speak with our staff to book an appointment.