The Dreaded Dentist

Carter is TERRIFIED of doctor's and dentist's offices. To the point that reason, bribing and threatening are pointless. We're always reduced to physical restraint. Well, that works alright for a quick poke in the arm, or peek in the ear, but when he needs a full cleaning and x-rays? Um, no. Carter hasn't had a proper 6 month exam since he was born for this very reason, and I was not only worried about his teeth, but sick of paying for pointless appointments. After discussing the problem with our Pediatric Dentist, we came to the conclusion that sedation would be necessary if we wanted to accomplish anything. I liked the idea! In my mind's eye, I pictured Carter nodding peacefully off to sleep, while the dentist quickly got the job done, and later, him waking like a daisy to the sun, perfect teeth in tow. Needless to say, it didn't happen that way. We showed up first thing in the morning because Carter had to come in on an empty stomach. He was fine in the waiting room, playing with oversized blocks and moving the chairs around to wherever they didn't belong. Then they called us back. As soon as we passed through that door, Carter knew what was up. He clamped his hand over his mouth and started shaking and whimpering. The nurse took WAY to long to bring us the sedation medication, which he was to take orally from a syringe. Carter usually likes his medicine, so I was hopeful. Sure enough, he put the syringe in his mouth and got about half of it down. Then he noticed the nurse and I looking anxiously at him. He took the syringe out and sprayed the rest onto the blinds behind him! Ugh. The medicine is carefully measured, and if he doesn't get it all, he won't be sufficiently "out", and they can't give him anymore. AND it cost an extra $45. I nearly cried. The nurse said she'd get the doctor and see what to do. They decided to give him a little shot in the arm and see if that would be enough. Luckily, the half syringe of knock out juice he drank quieted him enough to take his shot without complaint. Then they took us to a private little room and told me the signs to look for when the sedation started working. Carter would be awake, but he would lose control of his body, he would get double vision, and his speech would slur. Then they closed the door and said they'd be back in about 20 minutes, giving the meds time to work. I was fine at first. Carter just got a little happy and stumbled a bit. But then his knees buckled and he fell into my lap. He started swinging his head from side to side as his vision went. He tried to talk, but only grunts came out. I held him and sang to him as his jaw fell open and he started to drool. I started to cry. Of course, this kind of sedation is totally safe, and he was reacting just the way he was supposed to, I guess I just wasn't ready for it. The dentist came in and scooped Carter into his arms. He carried him into the exam room while I was ushered into the waiting room. When it was time to go, I learned that everything went well and Carter's teeth were in good shape! They took me back to his room. He was laying in an oversized crib on his side, still drooling and moving strangely. We tried to wake him a little. He finally mumbled "Mom", "Carter", and "chicken" (for some odd reason), and they let us go home. Carter couldn't hold his head up, so I laid him on his side on the seat during the ride home. For the next several hours, he needed constant supervision. He couldn't hold his head up, and I had to hold him upright so he wouldn't swallow his tongue. I had to restrain him over and over as he tried to stand and walk, because he kept falling into things or falling on his face. He finally started acting like himself around 2:30 that afternoon. I was so relieved to have my little boy back! It made me appreciate those mothers who have children with disabilities where this type if thing is daily reality for them. We've got it pretty good! But next time, my husband Nate will be accompanying Carter to the dentist.