How Do I Help Girlfriend with Sedation?

At the risk of sounding like one of those callers on a radio program who say, “Long time listener, first-time caller”, I wanted to start out by saying I love your blog. I’ve read it several times to get questions answered about dental care. I grew up in a group home, so didn’t really have parents who taught me things. I learned early on the internet was my friend. Now I have a personal question I haven’t seen on your blog already. My girlfriend is scheduled for a dental procedure over the summer. She’s getting sedation with it because the procedure’s extensive. I think she’s getting all her wisdom teeth out. Her parents were going to be there to care for her, but they just decided to spend the summer out of the country, which leaves her kind of on her own. She’s really freaked out, which I can’t blame her. I don’t know much about real parents, but I thought they were supposed to be around for stuff like this. I decided I’d fly in to support her during the procedure. But, now I’m freaked out. What exactly am I supposed to do?

Kevin C. – Missouri

Kevin,

First, thank you for the compliment about our blog. I’m thrilled to hear it’s been a useful resource for you. I’m also impressed with your character. It sounds like no one has ever been there for you, but you’ve not let that lessen your compassion toward others. I’d love to shake your hand. As far as helping your girlfriend, there’s nothing to be freaked out about, I promise.

The sedation will make her very woozy. She’ll need a safe place to rest. You may want to set her up a cozy nest on a couch, with a blanket, pillow, and tray that has some water nearby along with her pain relievers. It wouldn’t hurt to have a few things saved on Netflix or some DVDs for her to watch. If she likes to read, maybe you can read to her from her books.

One of the main reasons she’ll need someone with her is the wooziness. She won’t be steady on her feet and is a great risk for falling. So, be there to get her back and forth from the bathroom.

Here are some FAQs people generally have about sedation that may help.

It’s great that you’re there for her. I’m grateful she has someone like you, given her parents will be gone. To answer your question, yes, parents are usually supposed to be around for this type of stuff. There may be extenuating circumstances they couldn’t control. Or, maybe, they’re just not that great of parents.

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