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Help! I'm worried about my daughter's dental surgery

Jennifer is looking for tips to help her prepare for a trip to the hospital for her daughter's dental work.

By Jennifer Pinarski
Help! I'm worried about my daughter's dental surgery

Photo: Cirilopoeta/iStockphoto

A combination of crummy genetics, non-floridated water, tooth brush battles and nursing have resulted in several cavities for my three-year-old daughter Gillian — most of which are in her front teeth. Our family dentist has kept a close watch on them over the past six months and has decided that the best course of action is filling them in.

Because of her age, size and the dentist wanting all of her experiences to be positive ones, he strongly recommended that she be sedated at the hospital for her fillings. I'm hoping that there might also be sedatives for me — I'm a nervous wreck. 

All of the parents that I've spoken with have all assured me that having her teeth repaired while under sedation at the hospital will be a quick and painless procedure. The admitting nurse at the hospital reassured me and we're the first patients in the surgery operating room today. But as soon as the nurse mentioned the word intravenous (part of the reason why we need to arrive an hour before her OR slot) my anxiety sky rocketed. 

Gillian, on the other hand, is excited about going to the hospital and seeing the dentist — she adores him. I guess reading all of those Berenstain Bears books about doctors and hospitals have paid off. 

I know that routine dental fillings are no big deal, even under sedation. To parents with children who need surgery or urgent medical care, I must seem like the biggest worrywart in the world but, trust me, the anxiety and guilt is real!

What are the best things I can do to relax? And am I better off staying home lest my concerns rub off on my daughter? Tweet me at @JenPinarski.


This article was originally published on May 23, 2013

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