Resources for Patients

The purpose of the consultation is to examine your child in person and submit the necessary authorizations your insurance requires, so make sure to bring your medical insurance card.

During your appointment, Dr. Astrid will assess whether having your child’s dental decay treated under general anesthesia at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital is the best option for your family.

Dr. Astrid will review your child’s medical history and examine their mouth. If you haven’t already sent us x-rays from a recent dental appointment, we’ll try to take them. Dr. Astrid may recommend a fluoride treatment after the examination.

• Don’t eat before the surgery. Patients must not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before their procedure. Due to safety concerns, we won’t be able to treat your child if they don’t come fasting.
• Bring a change of clothes. Bring an extra set of clothes for your child, just in case of an accident!
• Be flexible. Often, we don’t know the exact treatment needs of a child until he or she is sedated, so be prepared for changes to the original treatment plan. This means your child may be seen sooner or later than expected.
• Come healthy. If your child is sick on the day of the procedure or has congestion in the lungs or throat, let us know the day before. Come to your scheduled appointment so your child may be evaluated by the anesthesiologist, and be prepared for your child’s surgery to be rescheduled.
• Brush very well. In the weeks leading up to your child’s surgery, make sure to take special care brushing their teeth, especially around the gum lines. Do an excellent job at removing the plaque the night before, but don’t brush your child’s teeth the morning of the procedure.
• Bring toys. Bring toys or games to keep your child entertained while waiting for their procedure.
• Be patient. Expect your visit to take between 4-5 hours.

• To be at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital for several hours.
• To speak to Dr. Astrid before and after the procedure.
• To speak with the anesthesiologist before your child’s surgery.
• To receive detailed written and verbal post-op instructions.
• Your child’s mouth to be numb after their surgery.

Once the patient is asleep, Dr. Astrid will take x-rays of their teeth. She will then complete the treatment.

Kids bounce back quickly. Most of them only require Tylenol and/or Ibuprofen after their procedure. We recommend soft foods for the first few days after surgery, especially their first few meals

We’ll review your child’s medical history at the time of the initial consultation to ensure we are proceeding with the safest option for your child.

We accept most insurances, including most Medicaid (liberty and MCNA) and Florida Healthy Kids plans. We take most PPO insurances, but not HMO dental plans. Cavity treatment is completely covered by Medicaid. If you have private insurance, our staff will assist you in determining your out-of-pocket expense.