OR Services

All patients are first seen by a pediatric dental provider at one of our EIOH clinic locations. During that visit, which includes a dental exam and x-rays, the provider will discuss your child's dental needs and treatment options.

Based on your child's visit, if treatment under general anesthesia is determined and agreed upon, the doctor will submit the paperwork to the OR Services Team. Every patient's case gets reviewed to identify the most suitable treatment environment based on medical history, anesthesia criteria, and overall need. The patient is then added to the waiting list.

One of the OR Services Treatment Coordinators will reach out when it is time to schedule. They will review insurance coverage, explain how to prepare for the appointment, and answer any questions about the process and what to expect.

All patients must be evaluated by their physician within 30 days before their scheduled surgery date. You will need to schedule this appointment once a procedure date is set.

A nurse will reach out, either by phone or MyChart, to discuss the patient’s medical history and current medications. Depending on the patient’s medical conditions, a discussion or visit with an anesthesiologist may also be needed. This is to help ensure the patient’s safety during the procedure.

Specific instructions will be shared during this process regarding medications.

In general, unless otherwise specified by surgical staff:

• The patient should not take any anti-inflammatory medication (such as ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve, or Motrin) for 7 days before the surgery. They may take Tylenol or a regular prescribed pain medication if this is their normal routine (except the above anti-inflammatories).
• The patient should stop ALL herbal supplements and vitamins at least 2 weeks before the surgery.
• The patient should stop ALL weight loss medications (especially phentermine) at least 7 days before the surgery.

The day before the appointment, you will receive a call to provide the arrival time and detailed instructions about when to stop eating and drinking before the surgery. Make sure you follow these instructions EXACTLY. Otherwise, the surgery may be delayed or cancelled for the patient’s safety.

In general, unless more specific instructions are given during the phone call:

• Patients cannot have anything to eat after midnight. This includes candy, gum, and lozenges. Some patients may be asked to stop eating at an earlier time than midnight.
• Pediatric patients may have clear liquids up to 3 hours before arrival time – this includes ONLY water or ginger ale.
• Formula-fed infants may have formula up to 6 hours before arrival time.
• Breast-fed infants may have breast milk up to 4 hours before arrival time.

For pediatric patients, at least one parent or legal guardian will need to stay in the building for the child’s surgery, to be on hand for updates and decision-making.

Legal guardians (other than biological parents) will need to provide paperwork documenting legal guardianship prior to the surgery. These papers should be shared with the OR Services team ahead of time to be added to the patient’s chart, and a copy should also be taken to the surgical center on the day of the appointment.

General Anesthesia will put your child in a sleep-like state with the use of a combination of medicines.

In general, unless more specific instructions are given before the appointment:

• Patients cannot have anything to eat after midnight. This includes candy, gum, and lozenges. Some patients may be asked to stop eating at an earlier time than midnight.
• Pediatric patients may have clear liquids up to 3 hours before arrival time – this includes ONLY water or ginger ale.
• Formula-fed infants may have formula up to 6 hours before arrival time.
• Breast-fed infants may have breast milk up to 4 hours before arrival time.

Legal guardians (other than biological parents) who will accompany the patient need to provide paperwork documenting legal guardianship prior to the surgery. These papers should be shared with the OR Services team ahead of time to be added to the patient’s chart, and a copy should also be taken to the surgical center on the day of the appointment.