At Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, we take special care to make sure that our youngest patients and their parents are comfortable and well-informed about a prescribed oral surgery. Our goal is to provide a safe, pain-free procedure with a successful outcome.
In most cases, pediatric oral surgery is considered safe and routine for procedures including tooth extractions, exposure of impacted canines and treatment of trauma to the face, mouth or neck. Nevertheless, parents of small children who will undergo surgery with IV (intravenous) anesthesia will have concerns about their child’s safety.
Here’s some helpful information:
- All surgeons at Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery are board-certified by the American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons. Additionally, each surgeon has completed a hospital rotation during his residency and is trained to safely administer IV anesthesia.
- Each operatory at NWOMS is regularly evaluated and has passed the AAOMS’ Office Anesthesia Evaluation Program which means that it is equipped to handle an anesthesia emergency should one occur.
- The surgical team members have successfully passed DAANCE, Dental Anesthesia Assistant National Certification Exam, and are trained to identify and manage emergency situations.
- For younger patients and for those with underlying health conditions requiring additional care, a board-certified anesthesiologist, Dr. Penelope Duke, will administer and manage the anesthesia alongside our oral surgeon.
- NWOMS surgeons maintain hospital privileges at Memorial Hermann Hospital in The Woodlands.
- Prior to surgery, a complete and accurate medical history and patient information is diligently gathered so that our surgeon can develop and deliver a safe anesthesia plan.
- During the child’s initial consultation with the oral surgeon, the treatment plan and pre-op instructions will be carefully explained. What to expect on the day of surgery will also be discussed. For example, on surgery day, the surgeon’s assistant will greet the parent(s) and the patient in the waiting area. From there, the patient will be escorted to the operatory. Parents are expected to remain the waiting room throughout the duration of surgery. Updates on the patient’s progress will be provided if requested by parents.
- Pediatric patients may be anxious about oral surgery. Parents can help their child by reassuring him/her that the surgeon and the care team are gentle and competent professionals. The surgeon and the assistants are accustomed to treating young patients and are adept at engaging and distracting young patients to avoid undo anxiety.
- Before, during and after an oral surgical procedure, a patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, temperature and oxygen levels will be continuously monitored.
- Once surgery is complete, the patient will recover for 30 minutes to one hour. During the entire recovery, a surgical assistant will remain in the room with the patient. Meanwhile, parents will be briefed on the outcome of the surgery and provided post-op care instructions. Following the recovery period, parents will be free to take their child home to home to rest and recover.
- Parents are encouraged to call the office with any questions or concerns. An after-hours phone number will be provided for urgent matters that require immediate attention.
About Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is a practice of seven board-certified oral surgeons which specialize in the full scope of the specialty including the extraction of wisdom teeth and diseased teeth, the placement of dental implants, sinus lifts, bone grafts, and oral pathology. Each surgeon works closely and cooperatively with referring general dentists, orthodontists, and prosthodontists to ensure the most successful outcome of a surgical treatment plan. For more information about Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and the six convenient locations, please visit texasoralsurgery.com.