subject: How To Prepare Your Kids For Oral Surgery [print this page] Preparing a child for oral surgery is not difficult, but it is essential to understand that many children will adopt their parent's attitude about healthcare and an oral procedure. If the parent is frightened or hysterical, the kid is much more likely to react in the same way.
It is also important that your body language matches your words. This may be easier said than done, as most parents do feel fear when their kid needs surgery, but being aware of the issue can be helpful.
The worst thing a parent can do before surgery is to not prepare the kid at all. Making an oral procedure a surprise that the kid is completely unaware of what is a horrible thing to do.
Children who are shocked by the fact they have to go to the dentist often act out, crying, screaming, and attempting to bite, kick or hit staff and family members. These children can be left with a fear of hospitals, surgery, dentists, assistants and health care in general.
Children traumatized by dentists have been shown to regress in the weeks and months after surgery. Potty-trained children may begin wetting the bed, or they may want a bottle after having moved on to regular foods.
Giving your child accurate information when preparing them for an oral procedure is essential to their being calm before and after surgery. Explain the procedure to your kid as accurately as possible.
At the infant and toddler stage of development preparing for a procedure is mostly about preparing the parents for what is happening and what to expect after surgery. Toddlers will require very simple and straightforward explanations of what is happening with minimal information.
Before an oral procedure children may be tearful or fussy, as they will be required to go without food or drink before surgery as an adult would. The hospital, with different noises, faces and activities can be upsetting, and your kid may require much more comforting and want to be held more than usual.
Presenting a calm, happy attitude when around your kid will help considerably when trying to keep them calm and comfortable. After surgery, you can expect your child to be fussy, and in some cases, difficult to console.
The combination of pain from the procedure, an empty stomach, and feeling strange due to the anesthesia typically results in a crying baby that will need to be held and comforted. Be sure to use pain medication as the dentist recommends, as small children are unable to verbalize their need for pain relief in some cases.
If the oral procedure is one that takes an extended recovery, you may need to enlist help from friends and family to take turns comforting your kid, so that you are able to sleep while the baby has the care they need. Children at the preschool level of development are old enough to be scared by the thought of going to the dentist.
Preschool aged children tend to fear separation from their parents, mutilation of their bodies and fear pain from any source. These typical fears can guide your conversation with your kid, giving you the opportunity to explain that you will be with them, that the surgery will make them better and not hurt their body, and that medication will be available if they have pain.
Keep in mind that your preschooler may be comforted by having familiar objects present with them, such as their favorite blanket and stuffed animal. Consider bringing their typical activities with them to the hospital, such as reading a book before nap time or brushing their teeth before bed.
Children of elementary age are old enough to require clear and concise information about an oral procedure. While they are old enough to have significant fears about surgery, they tend to keep their worries to themselves and will silently worry about concerns that may seem strange to an adult.
If your kid enjoys coloring, printable surgery coloring books may help to answer their questions and provide entertainment at the same time. This age group will also be very receptive to having a tour of the hospital and operating rooms when they are available.
by: Ignacio Lopez
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