INSTRUCTIONS FOR PATIENTS PRIOR TO ANESTHESIA 
 

Eating and Drinking

Do not eat anything for six (6) hours before your scheduled appointment. Patients for morning treatment shall have no food or liquid after midnight. Those for afternoon treatment shall have only clear liquids like apple-juice or water, no later than four(4) hours before treatment time. 
 

Medications

Medications normally taken (medications you have noted on your health history), should   be taken unless otherwise agreed upon by this office, and may be taken only with a sip of water. Antibiotic pre-medications should always  be taken when prescribed and at least one hour before arriving.  Inform Dr. Davies of any change in your medications. 
 

Clothing

Wear short sleeves, flat shoes and warm comfortable pants. Contact lenses must not be worn to the office. Remove all nail polish, makeup, perfume, powders, lotions, oils and jewelry before arriving.  Leave all valuables at home. 
 

Arriving

A responsible adult must drive you, escort you into the office, and wait at about 30 minutes. 
 

Any Change in Your Health

A change in your health, especially the development of a cold or fever, is very important. For your safety, you may be reappointed for another day. Inform your dentist and Dr. Davies of any change in health prior to your appointment. 
 

Special Note!

The use of "STREET DRUGS" (MARIJUANA, COCAINE, HEROIN, etc.) is strictly forbidden for several weeks prior to the administration of any anesthetic and until full recovery is achieved. The reason for these restrictions is your safety. The literature has reported that the mixture of "Street Drugs" and anesthetic agents has resulted in very serious complications including death. No smoking for 12 hours prior to surgery.  Do not have blood drawn for two weeks prior to anesthesia.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PATIENTS FOLLOWING ANESTHESIA 
 

Getting Home

The patient must be accompanied by a responsible adult and arrangements must be made to contact a responsible adult at the time of discharge. Do not plan to drive a vehicle or operate potentially dangerous equipment for twenty-four (24) hours after your treatment. You will not be allowed to leave by bus or taxi. Nursing services are available for these duties. 
 

At Home

A responsible adult must be with the patient until the next day. Nursing services can be arranged for out of town patients. 
 

Post operative discomfort

Post operative pain medication, if any,  will come from your dentist. 
 

Eating, Drinking and Smoking

Before you leave the office you will be encouraged to drink some soda and a protein drink such as Sweet Success or Ensure.  As soon as you get home you are advised to eat and drink liquids frequently so as to return to as normal a routine as possible.   Taking any pain medications or antibiotics on an empty stomach often causes nausea. You should not smoke for at least 12 hours following the procedure. 
 

Intravenous Infusion Site

A very small percentage of  patients experience post-operative tenderness and/or redness in their hand or arm which is a chemical phlebitis associated with intravenous infusion. If this occurs please call Dr. Davies at 949-362-9690. To reduce the small chance of phlebitis patients should keep the arm that had the intravenous line elevated and apply warm (100°F) moist heat. If a phlebitis does occur the patient should take an anti-inflammatory agent. Dr. Davies has only seen this happen in around six patients in 25 years and it was not permanent. 
 

Seek Advice

Please call if anything about your anesthetic experience concerns you. Dr. Davies is available to speak with you and will even call you the evening after your appointment to make sure everything is fine.