Oral Surgeon for ASD kid with Medical Trauma

[Anonymous]

My newly diagnosed ASD kid had a traumatic experience at an oral surgeons office two years ago. They were pros but none of us realized the effect that laughing gas and novacaine would have on her or that her pain tolerance is so staggeringly low and her panic response so intense. We ended up going to the hospital under sedation to remove a tumor. It was 100% necessary at the time.

We now have to go back to the oral surgeon for a simpler removal of baby teeth. My poor kid is panicking. Explaining that it’s totally different with shallower teeth and we will do a consultation first is not helping. Does anybody know an oral surgeon in the DMV who is particularly good with kids with this profile? Or have advice on what to use that’s not novacaine or laughing gas? She’s going to need some pain relief and some kind of sedation even if it’s just like an Ativan.

[Anonymous]

They can do Ativan. Or IV sedation. How old is DD? Can she describe what part makes her panic?

[Anonymous]

Call the dental office of Ensor Johnson and Lewis and ask them. They have a robust special needs practice and I’m certain they would know who to refer you to!

[Anonymous]

DD is 11. At this point it’s all muddled together. Merely walking into that office may make her freak.

Back when we attempted to remove the tumor/tooth when she was 8 - the novacaine shot was the moment she went into full fledged panic. I myself get jittery on novacaine so I suspect there’s a chemical sensitivity there. She also really didn’t like the spacey feeling of nitrous oxide.

[Anonymous]

They should be able to do IV sedation. Same as they do for wisdom teeth removal

[Anonymous]

I am/was also an anxious dental patient. I can't do nitrous and couldn't afford IV sedation. I started therapy for general anxiety and uncovered and dealt with the cause of my medical phobia and trauma. It helped me be able to tolerate further surgeries. For a child, I wonder if having a parent in the room would help, along with IV sedation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Call the dental office of Ensor Johnson and Lewis and ask them. They have a robust special needs practice and I’m certain they would know who to refer you to!

+1.