Safe, Comfortable, Anxiety-Free Dental Treatment, Right in Our Office
For some children, dental care can feel overwhelming. Young age, anxiety, special healthcare needs, or extensive treatment can make a regular dental visit stressful for everyone involved. In-office pediatric dental general anesthesia allows your child to receive the care they need safely and comfortably, without the emotional or financial stress of a hospital visit.
At Great Lakes Pediatric Dentistry, dental treatment and anesthesia happen together in one familiar, child-friendly environment. Your child is cared for by a highly trained team focused entirely on kids, with safety as the top priority at every step.
What Is Pediatric Dental General Anesthesia?
General anesthesia is medication that allows your child to sleep very deeply during dental treatment. While under anesthesia, your child does not feel pain, fear, or awareness, and they will not remember the procedure afterward.
This approach is often recommended for:
- Young children who need extensive dental work
- Children with severe dental anxiety
- Children who cannot safely cooperate due to age or special healthcare needs
One of the biggest benefits is that all dental treatment can be completed in a single visit, which often means less stress for your child and fewer disruptions for your family.
Our Approach to General Anesthesia
- Physician-Led Pediatric Anesthesia
- Hospital-Level Safety Without Hospital Stress
- Designed for Children, Not Just Procedures
Physician-Led Pediatric Anesthesia
Who administers anesthesia matters. In Michigan, dental anesthesia can legally be provided without a medical doctor physically present. While this meets minimum requirements, we believe children deserve the highest standard of care. That is why we partner with the DMC Pediatric Anesthesiology Group to provide physician-led pediatric anesthesia directly in our office.
Your child’s anesthesia team includes:
- A board-certified pediatric anesthesiologist (MD)
- Support from a CRNA or anesthesia assistant
Pediatric anesthesiologists complete medical school, anesthesiology residency, and additional fellowship training focused exclusively on infants, toddlers, children, and adolescents. This represents more than 12,000 hours of advanced clinical training and meets or exceeds all state and American Dental Association safety standards.
When it comes to your child’s safety, experience and specialization matter.
Hospital-Level Safety Without Hospital Stress
Our in-office anesthesia meets hospital-level safety standards while avoiding many of the challenges families associate with hospitals. Children receive continuous medical-grade monitoring, an individualized anesthesia plan based on their medical history, and immediate access to both dental and anesthesia specialists in the same room.
For healthy children and many children with medical or developmental conditions, in-office anesthesia is just as safe as hospital anesthesia, without the added stress.
Designed for Children, Not Just Procedures
Hospitals are not designed around children’s emotional needs. Our office is.
In-office care means:
- A familiar, kid-friendly environment
- Shorter wait times
- Less sensory overload
- Parents present as their child falls asleep and wakes up
This can make a meaningful difference, especially for toddlers, preschoolers, and children with autism or sensory sensitivities.
What to Expect
1
Before the Appointment
Before anesthesia, our team reviews your child’s complete medical history and coordinates with your pediatrician when needed. A History and Physical form completed by your child’s pediatrician is required before the procedure.
Families receive clear fasting instructions, including when solid foods and clear liquids should stop. Most children tolerate this well, and many enjoy the temporary “unlimited popsicles” rule.
If your child becomes sick before the appointment, our team will guide you on whether rescheduling is needed. Your child’s pediatric anesthesiologist always makes the final medical decision.
2
During the Appointment
Plan to be in the office for approximately 2 to 3 hours total, including check-in, treatment, and recovery. Parents are welcome to be present as their child falls asleep and when they wake up. During the procedure itself, the treatment room functions like an operating room and is limited to trained clinical staff.
You will receive clear updates, written discharge instructions, and direct contact information for your child’s anesthesia provider.
3
After the Appointment
Most children spend the rest of the day resting at home with close adult supervision and return to normal activities the following day. Future dental visits can be completed here at Great Lakes Pediatric Dentistry or with your referring dentist.
Cost and Financing
Simple, Predictable Pricing
We believe families deserve clear, upfront pricing. Because it is not always possible to obtain x-rays before treatment for children with anxiety or special healthcare needs, we use a flat-fee anesthesia model whenever possible rather than per-tooth charges.
This removes financial uncertainty and allows families to focus on what matters most: their child’s health and comfort.
More Affordable Than Hospital-Based Anesthesia
Hospital and surgery center anesthesia often involves multiple bills, facility fees, and separate anesthesia charges. By providing anesthesia directly in our office with a dedicated pediatric anesthesia team, we eliminate many of these additional costs while maintaining hospital-level safety.
Insurance and Financing Options
We offer financing options for qualifying families, including flexible payment plans through Cherry. Our team will walk you through what’s available and help you choose what works best for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is general anesthesia safe for children?
Yes. Pediatric anesthesia is extremely safe when provided by trained pediatric anesthesiologists using modern monitoring equipment. Each year, more than one million young children safely receive anesthesia for medically necessary procedures in the United States.
Can my child receive anesthesia if they have medical conditions?
Often, yes. Children with asthma, heart conditions, neurological disorders, autism, or other medical concerns can frequently receive anesthesia safely. If a hospital or surgery center would be safer, we will always recommend that option.
Should my child take their regular medications?
Yes. Essential medications should be taken as prescribed with a small sip of water the morning of the procedure. Vitamins and non-essential medications can be skipped until afterward.
Can my child go to school the same day?
No. Children should rest at home with close adult supervision for the remainder of the day.
Contact Us
A Parent-Centered Approach
We know deciding on anesthesia for your child can feel overwhelming. Our goal is to provide clear education, honest recommendations, and compassionate, child-focused care at every step.
If you would like to speak with our team or anesthesia provider before scheduling, we are always happy to help.
