Most children can complete dental care with routine behavior guidance, patience, and an approach tailored to their age and temperament. Pediatric sedation dentistry in our Redondo Beach office may be considered when a child needs more support because of very young age, severe anxiety, special health care needs, a large amount of dental treatment, or an inability to remain still safely for necessary care.
Who provides anesthesia
A board-certified anesthesiologist
When Dr. Carroll determines that sedation or anesthesia is necessary, she uses a board-certified anesthesiologist to administer and monitor the anesthesia.
Dr. Carroll prefers this approach because she believes a child who truly needs sedation deserves a dedicated anesthesia professional focused on that job throughout the procedure.
Our approach
Never for convenience
Sedation is never recommended simply because it is convenient. Dr. Carroll considers the child’s age, medical history, dental needs, ability to cooperate safely, and reasonable alternatives before recommending anesthesia.
Hospital experience
Dr. Carroll’s hospital experience at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles also gives her extensive experience caring for children with complex medical conditions whose dental treatment may require more careful planning or a hospital-based setting.
Frequently asked questions
Does every anxious child need sedation?
No. Most children can complete dental care with patient behavior guidance, desensitization, and an approach tailored to the child. Sedation or anesthesia is considered only when Dr. Carroll believes it is necessary for safe and appropriate treatment.
Who administers anesthesia?
When anesthesia is necessary, Dr. Carroll uses a board-certified anesthesiologist to administer and monitor the anesthesia while Dr. Carroll performs the dental treatment.
Why might a child need anesthesia for dental treatment?
Very young age, significant anxiety, special health care needs, inability to remain still safely, medical complexity, or the amount of necessary dental treatment can all affect whether anesthesia is appropriate. The recommendation is individualized.
Call our office if you would like to discuss the safest practical approach for your child’s dental treatment.
Call Our Office
Reviewed by Shari Carroll, DMD, MPH - Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
Contact
1611 S. Catalina Avenue | Suite 100 Redondo Beach | CA 90277 | Phone: (310) 357-4414
There is FREE parking in our underground parking garage accessible off of Catalina Avenue.
Existing patients: Please use Dr. Carroll’s established after-hours contact instructions for urgent questions outside normal office hours.
