Pre-Op & Post-Op Instructions for IV Dental Sedation – Daytona Beach, FL

We use IV sedation to provide our patients with comfortable and relaxing dental care. Keep these instructions in mind before and after receiving our IV sedation to ensure that your treatment goes smoothly.

Eating and Fluid Intake:

• Do not eat anything 6 hours prior to the appointment.
• Do not drink any opaque fluid 6 hours prior to the appointment (like milk, orange juice, coffee, etc.). Only small amounts of water or Gatorade can be sipped until 3 hours before the appointment.
• Stop taking anything per mouth (other than your medication) in the 3 hour period before the sedation, ensuring that you come to the appointment with an empty stomach to prevent you from experiencing nausea.
• Other medications that we use very rarely create nausea. Vomiting while being sedated is dangerous: it may obstruct your airway, but this can be prevented by following the above protocol. We have some very effective IV drugs that reduce nausea should this occur.

Sedative Premedication and Regular Medication:

You may be given a prescription for a “sleeping pill” to take the night before your appointment. This will help you sleep well the night before and arrive well-rested for your procedure.

• Take the sleeping pill as directed, typically one tab of Halcion 0.25mg at bedtime.
• Take all of your other medication normally, as prescribed by your physician (unless informed to stop or modify the dosage by your physician).
• Do not take any sleeping pill/sedative on top of what we have prescribed you.

Clothing:

• Wear loose clothes that do not restrict your breathing and allows easy access to your upper arm for attachment of blood pressure machine and the administration of injections.
• You may be a little unsteady on your feet after sedation. To reduce the possibility of fall and injury, you should wear flat shoes.
• If you wear contact lenses, you must take them out before your appointment.
• Do not wear heavy makeup, and for men, a clean shave is preferred.
• We have an oxygen monitor that is placed on the finger to monitor your pulse and oxygen while you’re sedated. It does not work well on nail varnish or fake nails, so those will have to be removed before your appointment.

At Your Appointment:

Before treatment begins, you will be connected to machines that will monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and breathing continuously throughout the procedure.

• We will start the IV, usually in the back of your hand or in the inside of the elbow.
• Most patients have little recall of events after the sedation has been given. This procedure is not a general anesthesia—you will not lose consciousness.
• You will be able to communicate with us and respond to our instructions.
• After treatment, you will be discharged to a responsible adult who will give you a ride home.

After Your Appointment:

The sedative agents used in your treatment will affect your coordination, memory, and judgement for 18 to 24 hours after your sedation. Do not:

• Drive
• Cook
• Operate machinery
• Make important decisions
• Sign papers
• Take any alcohol or sleeping tablets

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call our dental office!