TYPES OF ANESTHESIA
General Anesthesia – use of intravenous and/or inhalation agents which will cause unconsciousness. A breathing tube is often required to protect your airway.
Regional Anesthesia – use of anesthetizing agents and/or narcotics injected around a nerve(s) so as to produce a loss of sensation and/or movement of a specific part of the body.
Monitored Anesthesia Care – commonly known as “twilight” anesthesia, this involves the use of different anesthetic agents to produce various levels of sedation and/or analgesia. The patient is usually able to maintain their own breathing without the use of an advanced airway.
During the procedure, you may need additional anesthesia, type or techniques, and/or monitoring. Signing this consent allows your anesthesiologist to provide you with such services for your own comfort, safety and well-being.
PEDIATRIC PATIENTS
The administration and monitoring of general anesthesia may vary depending on the type of procedure, the type of practitioner, the age and health of the patient, and the setting in which anesthesia is provided. Risks may vary with each specific situation. You are encouraged to explore all the options available for your child’s anesthesia for his or her dental treatment, and consult with your dentist or pediatrician as needed.
For the safety of your child, parents are not allowed to watch the anesthesia procedures or dental treatment. If a parent refuses to leave after being requested to do so, the procedure will be cancelled.
RISKS AND ALTERNATIVES
There are risks involved in any type of anesthesia. It is not possible to guarantee or give assurance of a successful result. It is important that you clearly understand and agree to the planned anesthetic, the possible risks, complications and alternatives.
Risks and complications include but are not limited to: allergic reactions, infection, nose bleeding and/or generalized bleeding, remembrance of procedures, nausea, vomiting, nerve injury, dental damage, eye injury, tissue damage, aspiration, breathing problems, urinary retention, agitation or delirium upon awaking and in extremely rare cases, major organ damage, coma, or even death.
Alternatives include proceeding without anesthesia and postponing, cancelling, or rescheduling the procedure to be performed at a surgery center or hospital.