Hospital Based Dentistry

What is Hospital Based Dentistry?

For those who cannot maintain or receive traditional dental care, hospital dentistry offers a compassionate, efficient alternative. Some patients who are medically compromised are more safely managed in a hospital setting, especially for more complex needs. 

Why could hospital dentistry be recommended for my child?

Depending on age, medical conditions, neurodiversity, or special healthcare needs, there are also some patients who may be unable to complete standard dental regimens in office, or they may feel heightened anxiety about the responsibility. In some cases, dental needs and medical problems may be intertwined, requiring the presence of both a medical doctor and a dentist. These cases require localized, comprehensive care, and our team of dentists and speciality trained support personal can provide this service in a safe manner.

What should I do if my child needs hospital dentistry?

If you believe hospital dentistry is the best fit for your child, let our team know at our Winston-Salem or Kernersville office,  We will help you make the needed arrangements and assist you with the paperwork. If you have any questions about hospital dentistry or think that it may be necessary for your child please contact us.

What are the benefits of hospital dentistry?

• Added safety of your child being managed by both a dentist and medical team 
• Ability to address all of your child's dental needs at once while your child is asleep (under general anesthesia)
• Protect the developing psyche from potentially traumatic and stressful dental visits for the patient and caregiver

Can the pediatric dentists at this office see my child in the hospital?

All four of our board certified pediatric dentists are accredited to see patients at both the Hawthorne Outpatient Center at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem and the Valleygate Dental Surgery Center in Greensboro.  If your child is referred for hospital dentistry, the same pediatric dentist you saw at our office will also treat your child's dental needs in the hospital and complete all of his/her follow-up care at our Winston-Salem or Kernersville offices.  

How should I take care of my child after he/she has had dental surgery in the hospital?

• If your child was asleep for his/her dental treatment, there are several steps to help your child’s recovery
• Sore throat and irritability are common following dental surgery
  • Follow the post-op instructions for pain management
• Nausea is common immediately following dental surgery
  • First, give your child clear liquids (water, apple juice, clear broth).  If your child can keep these down, you may move to bland foods (yogurt, crackers, rice)
  • A soft food diet is recommended for the first 24 hours
• Give your child plenty of fluids over the next 24 hours
  • A slightly elevated temperature after surgery is often due to dehydration and be controlled by increasing fluid intake or by taking ibuprofen (i.e. Motrin) or acetaminophen (i.e. Tylenol)
  • If a significant fever (>101.4oF) occurs, call our office immediately or go to your local emergency room
• Do not brush or floss the teeth until tomorrow as the mouth will be sore tonight
  • This will also allow the fluoride varnish treatment soak into the teeth overnight
  • You may resume your normal brushing and flossing routine tomorrow morning
• If your child is having issues such as a fever (>101.4oF), bleeding, or other medical problems related to dental surgery, call our office immediately go to your local emergency room
• Please return for your follow-up appointment so we can ensure your child’s mouth is and healing normally