columbushosp.org 13 That’s where dental surgery comes in. Kids can have a better experience when they undergo dental treatment under general anesthesia. And since they need just one visit, parents don’t have to take as much time off from work. The procedure can also help kids with special health care needs, severe dental anxiety or behavioral challenges. What to expect A child’s primary care doctor will need to complete a presurgical evaluation 30 days before the surgery date to ensure they are healthy enough to undergo general anesthesia. Depending on their health history, some children may need an additional evaluation from other specialists. During the surgery, the child receives anesthesia from an anesthesia team, and Harvey completes the dental work in a sterile, controlled environment. “Safety is our top priority,” she noted. “We follow hospital protocols, and the anesthesia team monitors the child’s vital signs closely throughout the procedure.” Harvey typically performs X-rays to confirm her treatment plan, then completes a dental cleaning and other work as needed, such as fillings, crowns or extractions. When she needs to remove baby teeth, she typically uses spacers to maintain that space until the permanent teeth erupt. “I’m usually doing four separate dental appointments in one session,” Harvey said. “It’s full-mouth rehabilitation.” The procedure lasts about 90 minutes depending on the needs of the child. Kids can return home once the anesthesia wears off, and recovery is generally quick. “They usually only need one to two days off of school,” Harvey said. Expert pediatric dentist dedicated to children’s care Harvey is highly qualified to perform dental surgery at CCH. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She then completed a two-year residency in pediatric dentistry at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, both in Iowa City. “I’m excited to offer this specialized care in Columbus, because I know a lot of families were having to travel outside of our area for this,” she said. Make an appointment For questions or to schedule a visit, contact Columbus Pediatric Dentistry online at cbuspediatricdentistry.com/ patients or call 402-585-0001. scan
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