Pediatric Sedation Dentistry in Voorhees Township

For many children, dental visits can trigger anxiety, fear, and resistance, making necessary treatments challenging to complete. Pediatric sleep dentistry offers compassionate solutions through various sedation techniques that help children remain calm and comfortable during dental procedures. These approaches are particularly valuable for treating children with dental anxiety, those undergoing lengthy procedures, or patients with special needs who may find traditional dental visits overwhelming.

At ABC Children’s Dentistry in Voorhees Township, Dr. Jeffrey Singer and our caring team provide specialized sleep dentistry services tailored to each child’s unique requirements. Our cheerful, Disney-inspired office environment is designed to put children at ease, while our expertise in sedation techniques ensures safe, stress-free dental experiences for all our young patients, including those with special circumstances.

What Is Pediatric Sedation Dentistry?

Pediatric sleep dentistry, also known as sedation dentistry, involves using medication to help children relax during dental procedures. The level of sedation can range from minimal (where the child remains awake but relaxed) to deep sedation (where the child may not remember the procedure afterward).

Sleep dentistry is particularly beneficial for children who:

Experience significant anxiety about dental visits
Have difficulty sitting still for extended periods
Need complex or lengthy dental procedures
Have had traumatic dental experiences in the past
Are very young and unable to understand or cooperate with treatment
Have a strong gag reflex that interferes with dental work

By creating a more positive dental experience, sedation dentistry not only allows for necessary treatment to be completed safely and effectively but also helps prevent dental phobia from developing—a condition that could impact oral health throughout a child’s life.

Types of Sedation Options

At ABC Children’s Dentistry, we offer several sedation options, each catering to different levels of need

Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)

Nitrous oxide is a mild sedative administered through a small mask placed over your child’s nose. This colorless, odorless gas helps children feel relaxed while remaining fully conscious. The effects wear off quickly once the gas is stopped, making it an excellent option for children with mild anxiety or those undergoing simple procedures.

Children under nitrous oxide sedation remain awake and able to respond to questions and directions but feel notably calmer and more comfortable. Many children describe feeling happy or experiencing a pleasant tingling sensation while under its effects.

Hospital-Based Sedation

For complex cases or children who cannot be treated with milder forms of sedation, we offer hospital-based care with deep sedation or general anesthesia. Dr. Singer maintains hospital privileges and works exclusively with board-certified anesthesiologists to provide the highest standard of care in a hospital setting.

This level of sedation is recommended for children requiring extensive dental work, those with certain medical conditions, or in cases where other sedation methods would not be sufficient to ensure comfort and safety. We prioritize safety by only performing general anesthesia procedures in a hospital environment with specialized medical supervision.

Sleep Dentistry for Special Needs Patients

Children with special needs often face unique challenges in dental settings. Sensory sensitivities, difficulty understanding instructions, or inability to remain still can make routine dental care extremely challenging without appropriate accommodations.

At ABC Children’s Dentistry, we recognize these challenges and have developed specialized approaches for children with conditions such as:

Autism spectrum disorders
Sensory processing issues
Intellectual disabilities
Physical limitations
Behavioral disorders
Severe dental anxiety

For these patients, sedation dentistry can be transformative, allowing necessary dental work to be completed without causing distress. Our team takes time to understand each child’s specific needs, triggers, and comfort levels before recommending an appropriate sedation option.

We also implement additional accommodations for our special needs patients, including:

Pre-appointment office tours to familiarize children with our environment
Sensory-friendly scheduling during quieter office hours
Visual schedules and social stories to prepare children for what to expect
Consistent care providers to build trust and comfort
Customized treatment plans that consider each child’s unique circumstances

Many parents of children with special needs express relief after discovering our sedation options, as they often struggle to maintain their child’s oral health due to challenges with traditional dental visits.

The Sedation Dentistry Process

When considering sleep dentistry for your child, we follow a comprehensive process to ensure safety and effectiveness. Before any sedation appointment, we conduct a thorough evaluation, including a detailed medical history review, a discussion of previous sedation experiences, and an assessment of your child’s specific dental needs and anxiety levels. For cases requiring general anesthesia, we coordinate with the hospital and board-certified anesthesiologists to ensure all proper protocols are followed.

We provide clear pre-operative instructions, including guidelines about food and drink restrictions before the appointment, medications to take or avoid, and what to expect during the visit. During hospital-based procedures, your child will be under the care of both Dr. Singer and a board-certified anesthesiologist who monitors vital signs throughout the treatment. This team approach ensures the highest level of safety while allowing us to complete all necessary dental work in a single visit.

After treatment, your child will be monitored in the hospital recovery area until they are ready to go home. You’ll receive detailed post-operative instructions for at-home care and recovery.