Versed

I would absolutely get a second opinion.(pediatric dentist) I don't like the thought of sedating my children. Unless in an emergency.
My youngest son doesn't brush like he should and developed a cavity at age 4. We have a pediatric dentist that is very kid friendly. Balloons, toys, stickers. One time he wouldn't let them clean his teeth. So we rescheduled his appointment for when hubby could take him. Never another problem!

Versed is a form of valium. I am highly allergic to it. I see things. Things like the lights and ceiling is falling and snakes. That's the industrial tube lights. I do know they like to do this just to make their job easier. Butboth my boys went and the dentist gave them a mirror to watch with and they needed no sedation at all. I know they used gas on a cousin of mine once but I thought it was because she was handicapped and could not understand.Mentally even now she has the mind of a 3 year old.
Good luck.

Wow! That seems like a lot for a 3-year-old. I was 5 or 6 years old when I got my first filling and I was in my late 30's before I could sit in a dentist's chair without fear of fainting. Have you sought a second opinion on whether all of this really needs to be done at this age? They are baby teeth. I mean, it's not like she won't be getting a new set relatively soon. On one of my other lists there were some recommendations for pediatric dentists. If you decide you want to seek a second opinion, email me and I will comb the list for names. good luck to both of you. :)

I have had versed several times for different procedures. It does sedate you to the point that you don't remember the procedure but you can answer questions and follow simple comands. Afterwards it does not linger for long at all and I have never had any side effects from it. It is probably the safest thing to use.

My son, who was 2 and a half at the time, had to get a filling. They had to sedate him before the appt, too. They sedated him with Vistaril (Hydroxyzine). It worked very well. I would ask about that medication to see if they might consider that one. There are still potential side effects, but I believe they aren't as bad. Just make sure to double check the dose with a pharmacist or the doctor to make sure it's right. Good luck!

I would feel the same way. Is there some reason they feel they need to do it all in one day. When my daughter was 2.5 she was able to handle a cleaning and flouride treatment in one appointment no problem. Could they split it into 2 appointments so it wouldn't be too much for her and you wouldn't have to use versed?

A.,
I would say NO WAY. If you aren't comfortable with it then don't allow the dentist to give your daughter this drug. Speaking from experience, my son has also had some dental work at a young age (cavities, filled,caps and a tooth pulled) and he was only ever given nitrous. It worked perfectly, he was calm and relaxed (I was the one that needed to be sedated :) ) The way I see it, to risk your child's respritory system is not worth a cavity or two when really this dentist has no idea how she is going to react to nitrous. Just the opinion of one.

It sounds safe from what eveyone else has written but you should still get a few answers...

How long has your dentist been in practice?
How long has your dentist been using this drug?
Who administers the drug and how long have they worked for the dentist, worked with the drug?

Experience is the number one thing!

I was administered this during a scope with ultrasound(tube put down my throat). It is a wonderful drug just be sure you know her weight exactly. That is the best advice I can give you, and relax:)

L. Etta, mother of a 6 year old girl and an 8 year old boy

I just wanted to share my experience from last week with my almost three (A. 11th birthday) year old daughter. My daughter weighs 28 pounds. Her dentist is most comfortable with 3 years old and 30 pounds. We were close enough to this cut off to use Versed. I am a mother who questions all medications/shots/etc. I was so traumatized and upset to have to take her in and give her Versed at the dentist. I felt that it was the best choice though. She had 3 cavities and a front tooth that more than likely needed to be extracted. I researched and agonized for weeks, but ultimately decided it was the best choice. I did not want to take her to the surgery center to be completely put under and I only allowed her to be given Versed. Myself and my mom got to be in there with her the whole time. She was monitored the entire time for blood pressure and oxygen. We were told what numbers were normal. My daughter got very relaxed within about five minutes after drinking the very small amount of liquid (which she liked the taste of). She was very apprehensive about going and did not want to be there. After the Versed kicked in, she was calm/relaxed and allowed the dentist to numb her and get the work done. She was able to answer all questions and was not asleep ( just extremely relaxed). The trip was a total success and I am so happy and relieved! As long as anyone's child is at least 3 years and 30 pounds (or close to), I feel that it is a great choice to use to get your dental work done. We had tried to just do nitrous oxide previously and my daughter allowed them to fix a cavity, but the nitrous was nothing like the Versed. I knew that she obviously needed to be numb for the extraction and we could not put her through having to get numbed, a tooth extracted, and cavity fixed with only nitrous. She was out of it for a couple hours after (groggy). We held her until the Versed wore off. The other great thing about Versed is that there is a shot that the dentist can give them in case their breathing slows too much and potentially became a dangerous situation. The shot reverses the effects of Versed. The only other thing to know is that insurance does not pay for sedation. I had to pay $92 for the nitrous and $200 for the Versed. But it was worth every penny! :-)

Hi, A.! I also had a 2-1/2 year old who had to have a filling. The dentist gave him a little nitrous, a couple shots of novacaine, and he was FINE!! It was no big deal at all. As a matter of fact, he set aside a 50 minute appointment for the procedure, but we were out the door in 15 minutes! It went so smoothly, and my son was a champ!! I wish you the best of luck with your daughter!!

First off, I think that the dentist is being too ambitious trying to do all the procedures you listed at one time. My son who is 4 had 2 cavities on his back teeth. I also decided to opt for sealants on his other molars (he has very "groovy" teeth). So the pediatric dentist we went to did it in 2 sessions, one side each session. One filling, one sealant. He used the nitrous and my son was fine. He got to watch a movie (a monitor on the ceiling) and he loved it. They tried to do xrays but my son's tongue was too active. So they were able to do without those. I would go to another pediatric dentist if I were you. Or call another one and ask if they break up procedures over a few appts. It just sounds like too much. In my son's case, I think each visit was a half hour - 45 min. long at most.

As for versed, I am familiar with that too, though not in a dental situation. My other son had heart surgery when he was only 3 weeks old (he's almost 2 now) and when we go to the cardiologist she wants to check on the repair site using ulrasound. Well, babies are fidgety and after trying a while without versed they had to resort to it. They carefully administer the dose based on weight and do not administer it if the patient has a respiratory infection. My son got it in 2 timed dosages via a nasal spray. He was still pretty active through the US, though -- the doctors were suprised. Afterward he was a little groggy. But the cardiologist's office we see is actually in the hosital, probably about 20 feet away from the PICU, so I am confident about the way side effects would be handled and how well he would be monitored. I would not feel as confident in a dental setting. My 2 cents.

Sorry this got to be so long and hope it was some worthwhile info for you,

L.

Hi A.. I used to work for a pediatric dentist. It is very common for a young child to need Versed to get the work done. It is very easy on the child and the parent. We had a pulse oxymeter machine that gets put on the finger to read the heart rate and oxygen levels. We also had oxygen on hand and a reversal drug available. I have been given the drug before too with no side effects. Versed does have the side effect of the child not remembering the procedure. It's a win win situation. I worked there for 12 years and we never had a child have an adverse reaction. I believe your child will be fine.

Hey A.,

I am a RN. I work critical care ER/ ICU. I will tell you I've given Versed hundreds of times for procedures ranging from putting a cast on to setting up a patient to go on ventilator. It is used VERY commonly. Yes there are side affects, you do risk respiratory depression, but anyone who has experience giving it knows how to properly handle the risks. I am assuming your dentist is specialized in pediatrics. That would leave me feeling more comfortable. Pedi doses of medications are significantly smaller than adult doses according to your child's weight. If you are uneasy.... ask the staff.

However, know that it is a short acting drug, and if she does get too far under (suppressing her respirations) that there is medicine they can give to reverse that. I'd be sure of a few things. Make sure they have a way to monitor her oxygen saturation, vitals (pulse, blood pressure, etc)and have an ambu bag at the bedside should she need supplemental oxygen temporarily. They should be able to assess her status with all of the above mentioned equipment.

Be prepared that they may not let you back in the room with her while she's out. Depends on the facility's policy. Do know that she'll not remember thing one about the experience. Versed is a dissociative drug that suppresses the central nervous system of the brain temporarily. When you come back in the room she will seem spacey and may not entirely remember who you are. Kinda like she kicked back one too many ;). That is ok.... she'll be sleepy a good chunk of the day and the immediate "forgetfulness" should wear off within an hour or so of her procedure. If there is anything else I can help you better understand or ease fears, don't hessitate to write me back. I'd be happy to help you out! Best wishes, I'll keep her in my prayers.

hello, I am very familiar with this drug when given to adults. I am an RN. I do not recall having any issues really with adults when given versed. They get very sleepy and groggy and come out of it pretty quickly when it wears off. I am sure if you are going to a pediatric dentist they will have all appropriate/required equipment necessary. Just ask to make sure that you can be in the room with her the whole time. I am sure that this will help reduce anxiety.

I agree with the person who wrote it's way too much stuff to do in one appointment. My son who is nine had 4 cavities and they only did one each time. Five trips is a pain in the butt,including the one for the cleaning etc, but it's much easier for the children. When he was younger his pediatric dentist used nitrous oxide. When he got older he told her he didn't like the "big nose" and just had the next few done without any medication...they just tolerated his yelling...and I'm sure they must have been surface cavities.

My daughter had versed when she was younger to take the edge off during her VCUGs (a nasty test for kidney reflux). They're aware of what's going on, and can follow instructions, but it's kind of a fog and they don't remember stuff afterward.

Personally I'd have no problem considering it for the dental process, but I do think you should check into another dentist or ask if they'd spread it out over more visits if you really love this guy.

Good luck!

Hello. I would be very concerned as well. Do they have the equiptment there on site to monitor her vitals, etc. and if something did happen, (Heaven forbid) could they take care of her right away or would they have to call 911 and wait?? In our area, there are pediatric dental offices located in our Childrens hospital and their outpatient locations that have urgent care and ER departments as well, right there. I would check into something like that or just call another pediatric dentist, explain what she needs done and ask what their treatment plan would be to see if it differs or go back to your dentist and ask if there are different medications that can be used. You have every right to make sure that your child's safety comes first. You do need to make sure that you take care of those cavities asap because it can decay her permanant teeth and gum disease is not a good thing and has been linked to heart disease.

No, I'm not familiar with this drug, but it sounds too risky. I wouldn't be comfortable with it. I would try Valerian Super Calm from Herbs for Kids or Calms Forte 4 Kids by Hyland's. If she can't sit still for all of it, just do a little at a time. These are not permanent teeth, so unless she is in pain, it isn't urgent. The dentist can try, and if she can't do it, he can always stop and try again another time. Good luck!

This sounds like a lot of dental work for a (not even) 3 year old. I'd be sure it's necessary. My dentist doesn't do x-rays until the child is 5 and I wonder why cavities or flouride need to happen before permanent teeth. I'm not a doctor or dentist just my feeling/opinion without all the facts.

I am not familiar with this drug but I would suggest that you bring up your concerns with the dentist before scheduling the final appointment, explaining that you have spoken to your pediatrician and while you are aware that the use of the drug is common practice you are still uncomfortable with the idea of having a strong medication given to your young child outside of a hospital. Last year I was in a similar situation with my 5 yr old daughter and her dentist chose to do her dental work in stages. See if your dentist would consider scheduling 3 separate appointments, one for x-rays, one for fillings and a 3 for cleaning, or some other combination that might allow you to get the work done only using nitrous oxide. If you feel that your dentist is rushing you to cram all of it into one appointment contact another pediatric dentist and outline the situation for them, asking if they would be willing to spread the procedures out. Also, I strongly suggest that both you and your husband, or another adult that she is close to, accompany her to her first appointment. I switched off appointments with my ex husband and after I went to the 1st, my ex the second, and then me again for the 3rd, the dental staff informed me that my daughter was much more relaxed when her father brought her. Since you seem to be a worrier like I am, it may turn out that your daughter is calmer with someone else, and may be able to get by on less anesthetic. Above all, remember that she is only 3, they are baby teeth, and there probably won't be dire life altering damage if it takes more than a week to get the work done.

Get a second or third opinion! (From an older, established dentist, if possible) My family's dentist is in his 70's and has been in practice for a good long while. I thoroughly trust him and his judgement. He has told me that he feels some dentist are too quick to do fillings these days and that they can cause more issues later on down the road than the little bit of decay that can be commonly present on teeth. He, too, would not perform these procedures on my little guy (who is 2 1/2). He'll wait until he's 4 or 5. I would definitely check around.

I don't know anything about the drug but I did go through my child having to be sedated at 2 and a half to 3 years of age. It had to be done but be prepared for how your child may react to the procedure. They let me be with him while he was sedated and it still was a little frightening. I think it was worse on me than him. Just seeing him like that and he was crying. Today at 11 he doesn't even remember it. Afterwards he was very needy and crying. They don't know where they are and just know they aren't comfortable. I was there for him when he was done. SO again it was harder on me than him. So prepare the best you can and realize it may be hard as a mother to watch your child be put under and then afterwards when he isout of sorts.

Hi A.,
I work in surgery and we have given children oral versed
for putting tubes in their ears, or taken tonsils out. I took my daughter who is three to the dentist and she sat still through most of the procedure until getting fidgity. Versed may not have to be given until the fillings are done. I would think someone else would be their to monitor your daughter's respirations during that time. Remember, you are in charge of what is done to your daughter.

We just had our 3year old go through something like this. I cannot remember what it was that they gave her first, I just know it was an oral sedation med. Alls it did was make her feel sleepy. It didn't knock her out or hurt her. It made me feel sad though, the way she was acting. Than when it was time for her to go back, they had her clean her teeth with them, than they had given her a little extra of the sedation med, cuz she was suppose to have fallen asleep by then, she fought her sleep the whole time, so they had to give her the laughing gas too...not much just a little. She cooperated very well they said and did great! She did sleep all day long though and most of the night. So it kind of sucked, cuz her schedule was thrown off. She too is only 3 years of age. She had 3 caps on and 4 teeth coated because they were cracked due to her hitting her mouth on certain things when she was a little younger. She's doing much better now. Good Luck!

My (very active but apprehensive) four year old son just had four caps put on his teeth this Wednesday. Nitrous was enough to keep him, while not perfectly calm, at least cooperative through the procedure. We see a pediatric dentist, but she doesn't fully sedate her patients.

I'd be sure to have her teeth taken care of (our son's teeth are a mess because we couldn't find anyone willing to work on someone so young). Around here they won't completely sedate young children outside of a hospital setting because of the risks.

Can they try the nitrous & then move on if that doesn't work?

I also am a nurse, and I know the worst place to have aheart attack is the cardiologist office. That is because they don't deal with it very often. I would think the same could be said of a dentist office, even a peds dentist. They may know how to handle a code situation, but if they don't do it often, they can be very rusty. I agree with talkng to the doc about dividing the procedures up into more visits.
Just my 2 cents,
Rosei

My son has been given Versed on a few occasions and he did just fine. It makes him act very drunk and very loopy so it's actually kind of funny to watch. She won't have a lot of control over her body so ask how they plan to keep her mouth open and her little body in the chair. I, too, would make sure her vitals are monitored throughout the procedure and also ask if perhaps they start with nitrous to see if it will be enough and then move onto Versed if need be. Not need to overmedicate if they don't have to. Just a thought. Good luck.