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Treatment of a pediatric patient under general anesthesia

Child being prepared for treatment with a calming mask in a dental clinic
MUDr. David Doubek

In some cases, routine dental treatment in children can be very difficult or practically impossible. This is most often due to young age, significant fear of dental treatment, extensive tooth decay, or a limited ability to cooperate due to health conditions (such as autism spectrum disorders, mental retardation intellectual disability, or other neurodevelopmental disorders). In such situations, treatment under general anesthesia can be a safe, effective, and gentle solution. We have prepared an overview of what the entire process entails—from the initial referral to follow-up care.

When is treatment under general anesthesia indicated?

The decision to treat a child under general anesthesia is made by the attending physician based on a comprehensive assessment of the child’s overall health and dental condition. The most common reasons for choosing this procedure are:

  • very young age of the child (typically under 4 years of age), when cooperation during conscious treatment is not realistically possible,
  • significant dental phobia or psychological trauma from previous attempts at treatment,
  • presence of health limitations, neurodevelopmental disorders (autism spectrum disorders, developmental intellectual disorders, etc.),
  • extensive dental caries or associated inflammatory complications in the oral cavity,
  • the need to restore a large number of teeth during a single treatment.

We always strive for the most gentle and individual approach possible. We therefore only recommend treatment under general anesthesia when it is not possible to provide high-quality treatment under normal conditions. In such cases, general anesthesia is the safest and most comfortable treatment option—both for the child and for the parents.

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What do we need before the procedure?

Several steps are necessary before the actual performance:

  • Preoperative examination by a pediatrician – blood tests are not usually required unless expressly recommended by the pediatrician.
  • Anesthesiology questionnaire and informed consent – we will send both by email after the indication has been approved and the date of the procedure has been selected. Please read them carefully, complete them, and bring them with you on the day of to the procedure.
  • Telephone consultation – in some cases, the anesthesiologist may contact the parents in advance to obtain additional information.

How does treatment under general anesthesia work?

Arrival and reception

Please arrive at the clinic reception at the agreed time. It is very important that on the day of the procedure, the child:

  • Completely healthy – no signs of a cold, fever, cough, or runny nose.
  • Completely fasting – i.e., at least 6 hours without food and 2–4 hours without fluids, according to the instructions you will receive before the procedure.

If you suspect your child may be ill, you must postpone the procedure.

After your arrival, there will be a brief consultation with the attending dentist and then with the anesthesiologist, who will double-check all the important information.

Induction of sleep
The child is put to sleep using a mask – no needles, no stress – with parents present.

Once the child is in a safe stage of sleep, the parents leave the room and the dentist begins the planned treatment.

The treatment itself

The length of the procedure varies, but usually takes 2–3 hours.

Waking up and observation

After the procedure, the child wakes up under the supervision of an anesthesiologist. Once the child is fully conscious and stable, the parents are allowed back in. You will then stay together for a while in the recovery room under the supervision of professional staff.

Going home

After being checked by the anesthesiologist, you will be discharged to home care with precise instructions on how to care for your baby child.

When will we see each other again?

When you leave, you can arrange a follow-up appointment with your dentist at the reception desk – ideally 10 to – 14 days after the procedure.

On this visit:

  • we will check the healing process,
  • remove stitches (if used),
  • and evaluate the results of the treatment.

How to behave after the procedure?

After returning home, we recommend:

  • rest for at least 1–2 days,
  • eat soft foods and drink plenty of fluids,
  • cool the face from the outside (e.g., with a cooling gel pad through a cloth),
  • avoid sports and physical exertion until you have fully recovered.

After the procedure, the child may be slightly sleepy, irritable, or restless—this is a normal reaction and usually subsides within a few hours.

CareCall – we are with you even after the procedure

One to two days after the procedure, your doctor will contact you by phone to make sure everything is okay, answer your questions, and adjust any recommendations if necessary.

If anything unusual occurs beforehand (fever, severe swelling, vomiting, etc.), please contact us immediately.

In conclusion

We understand that treating a child under general anesthesia can be stressful for parents, but we do our utmost to ensure that everything proceeds safely, gently, and with minimal stress for the young patient. Thank you for your trust—we are here to help you get through even the most challenging moments with ease and peace of mind.

Price list

Painless Care

Midazolam

Midazolam is a drug that keeps the patient calm and relaxed during treatment. It often makes the patient sleepy and unable to remember the procedure, while allowing them to breathe on their own.

from 3,500 CZK / 143 €

Baldus nitrous oxide

Baldus is a modern system for administering nitrous oxide, which ensures maximum safety and precision during sedation. The patient remains calm and relaxed throughout the procedure, breathing independently while remaining conscious. The effect sets in quickly and wears off immediately after sedation ends. It is an ideal and very well-tolerated method, especially for children.

from 2 500 CZK / from 102 €

General anesthesia

General anesthesia allows treatment to be performed in complete peace, as the patient sleeps throughout and is unaware of anything. It is suitable for more demanding procedures or where treatment under local anesthesia is not possible. The price quoted applies only to the anesthesiology part of the treatment.

from 15,000 CZK / from 612 €

Analgesic sedation

Analgesic sedation is a combination of sedatives and painkillers that keeps the patient relaxed and sleepy during the procedure and prevents them from remembering the treatment. It is a sedative state in which the patient breathes independently throughout the procedure. It is suitable for anxious patients and more complex procedures.
The price quoted applies only to the anesthetic part of the treatment.

from 9,000 CZK / from 367 €