GENERAL ANESTHESIA FOR DENTAL/ORAL SURGERY

General anesthesia is a way of giving medicine so the person is “asleep” and doesn’t feel anything, not even pain. Usually, a gas is inhaled through a mask, but sometimes it is given by an IV (intravenous) or with a syringe. Anesthesiologist’s use this way of giving medicine when surgeons operate so patients don’t feel any pain or remember what happened during the surgery. (See “When is general Anesthesia needed”).

INSURANCE COVERAGE

• Many insurance plans, but not all of them cover general anesthesia for dentistry, so it’s important to talk about the financial details before the dental work is done.
• We will talk with you about ways to pay for the general anesthesia if it is needed. The cost varies, and is separate from the cost of the dentistry.

THE WEEK BEFORE DENTAL SURGERY

The surgical coordinator who works with the anesthesiologist will call you 1 to 3 days before surgery to tell you the exact time to be here. At that time, it is very important to tell the nurse if the patient is taking any medicines or has been sick recently. Please keep the whole day open on the appointment date. Arrange for someone else to care for other children in the family. Ask another responsible person to come with you, so you can safely drive home after surgery.