For Patients

  • For Patients

Before Anesthesia

Local and General Anesthesia Patients

  • Patients under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
  • Patients who are unable to legally sign for themselves must be accompanied by their power of attorney
  • If you do not speak fluent English, please be sure to have a translator with you
  • Local Anesthesia - if you take medications please take them at the time you normally would
  • Local Anesthesia - if you are required to take Pre-Med antibiotics, please take one hour before surgery
  • Do not smoke the day of surgery
  • Please bring with you to your appointment: (NEW Patients Only)
    • Any x-rays your dentist may have given you.
    • The referral slip your dentist gave you.
    • The completed forms in this information packet.
    • Your insurance cards.

General Anesthesia or Intravenous Sedation Patients

The guidelines regarding when to stop eating or drinking are extremely important. We will be unable to provide you with a general anesthetic unless your stomach is empty of food and liquids. A patient with a full stomach may vomit while asleep and the stomach contents may go into the lungs. This could be a life-threatening situation. We intend to provide you with a safe anesthetic and depend on you to help us do that by carefully following these guidelines.

Morning Patients

Absolutely Nothing to eat (including gum, candy, life savers, cough drops, etc.) or drink (including water) after midnight the night before your appointment.

Patients Scheduled at 12:00 or Later

No solid food (including gum, candy, life savers, cough drops, etc.) after midnight prior to your scheduled appointment. You may continue to have water only up to three (3) hours before surgery.

  • If you take morning medications for blood pressure, heart or seizure please take them with just a sip of water at least 2 hours before your morning surgery. Do not take any diabetic medications (insulin or oral) the morning of surgery.
  • If you are required to take Pre-Med antibiotics, it will be given to you through your IV and you do not need to take it
  • Wear comfortable clothing with loose or short sleeves.
  • If you use an inhaler for asthma please bring it with you.
  • Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you for at least four hours after anesthesia.

Be Prepared After Surgery

  • You will want to apply ice to the surgical site. We will provide gel packs at surgery.
  • Cool clear liquids are good when you first return home.