Pediatric sedation dentistry, from laughing gas to hospital care
Yes — Thompson Pediatric Dentistry offers in-office IV sedation for children, along with nitrous oxide and hospital dentistry under general anesthesia at partner hospitals. Few Nashville pediatric offices offer every comfort option under one roof. We do — so your child never has to be brave somewhere new.
The comfort ladder
About one in three young children has real dental fear — and severe early-childhood decay often can't be treated comfortably while a child is awake. The answer isn't force or delay. It's the right step on the ladder, chosen with you.
Tell-show-do behavior guidance
Behavior guidance comes first, always. We name the tool, show the tool, then use the tool. Most children need nothing more than this and a little patience.
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
A mild, well-studied option breathed through a small mask. Your child stays awake and responsive; the effect wears off within minutes of the mask coming off.
In-office IV sedation
For significant anxiety, strong gag reflexes, or bigger treatment plans — deeper relaxation with continuous monitoring, so more care happens in fewer visits, without a hospital trip.
Hospital dentistry under general anesthesia
For very young children with extensive needs, or children whose medical or developmental situation makes office care unsafe, Dr. Thompson completes treatment under general anesthesia at partner hospitals.
Sedation is prescribed, never sold
Sedation is a clinical decision made with you, never a default. At a sedation consult, Dr. Thompson reviews your child's complete health history, the amount of treatment needed, and — just as important — your child's temperament.
Sometimes the right answer is no sedation at all: many worried kids succeed with unhurried tell-show-do visits, and for some small early cavities, silver diamine fluoride (SDF) can slow decay without drilling while a child builds confidence for treatment later.
You'll leave the consult knowing exactly what's recommended, why, what it costs, and what the visit will feel like for your child.
How we keep sedation safe
Pediatric sedation is governed by Tennessee's state sedation permitting rules and by the joint American Academy of Pediatrics / American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines for monitoring and managing children before, during, and after sedation — covering who is a candidate, dosing, the monitoring in the room, and when a child is ready to go home. Board-certified pediatric dentists train specifically in these standards.
At your consult we'll walk you through exactly who will be with your child, the monitoring used at every step, and how recovery and discharge work for the option recommended.
What a sedation day looks like
You'll get exact written instructions for your child ahead of time, and we confirm them with you the day before. In general: eating and drinking stop beforehand for deeper sedation (a core safety rule), your child comes in comfy clothes with a favorite comfort item, treatment happens with continuous monitoring, and your child rests with us until fully ready to leave. Then it's a quiet afternoon at home — popsicles encouraged — with clear instructions and our number in your hand.
What sedation costs — and who covers it
TennCare: TennCare's benefit generally covers sedation and general anesthesia for children when it's medically necessary and documented — for example, a child too young to cooperate, a child with a developmental disability, or extensive treatment across multiple areas of the mouth. Coverage decisions rest with TennCare and Renaissance Dental, so we check your child's coverage before anything is scheduled and help with the paperwork.
Private medical insurance: many parents don't know this — Tennessee law (Tenn. Code § 56-7-2353) requires health insurance policies to cover the anesthesia and hospital charges when a child eight or under needs hospital dentistry because treatment can't be done safely in the office. Normal deductibles and coinsurance apply.
Dental insurance and self-pay: coverage varies by plan, so we verify benefits first and give you a clear written estimate before anything is scheduled. More on insurance & payment.
Is your child a candidate?
Parents usually find us for one of three reasons:
- A lot of treatment at once — extensive cavities or dental work across several areas, better done in one calm visit than many hard ones.
- Big feelings about the dentist — a child whose fear (or a previous bad experience) makes ordinary visits impossible.
- Special healthcare needs — when sensory, medical, or developmental factors make awake treatment unsafe or unkind. How we adapt.
Opens our secure scheduling portal in a new tab. Prefer to talk? Call (615) 349-8450.
What parents ask about sedation dentistry
Is sedation safe for kids?
Pediatric sedation in Tennessee is governed by strict state permitting rules, and professional guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry cover candidacy, dosing, monitoring, and recovery. A board-certified pediatric dentist trains specifically in them. At your consult we walk you through every safeguard that applies to the option recommended for your child.
Does Thompson Pediatric Dentistry offer IV sedation?
Yes. Thompson Pediatric Dentistry offers in-office IV sedation for children, along with nitrous oxide (laughing gas), behavior guidance, and hospital dentistry under general anesthesia at partner hospitals — the full comfort ladder under one roof.
Which option will my child need?
Most children need none of it, or only nitrous oxide. Sedation is a clinical decision made with you at a consult, based on your child's health history, the amount of treatment needed, and their temperament. We never sell sedation; we prescribe it.
Will my child remember the visit?
With nitrous, usually yes — pleasantly. With deeper sedation, often little or nothing, which for a fearful child can protect their relationship with dental care for life.
Does my child need to stop eating before sedation?
For IV sedation and hospital dentistry, yes — fasting before the appointment is a core safety rule. You will receive exact written eating and drinking instructions for your child's age and appointment time, and we confirm them with you the day before.
How long does recovery take?
Nitrous oxide wears off within minutes of the mask coming off, and kids return to school or play. After IV sedation or general anesthesia, plan a quiet rest-of-day at home with a grown-up watching — we send you home with clear recovery instructions and we're a phone call away.
Does TennCare cover sedation for children?
TennCare's benefit generally covers sedation and general anesthesia for children when it is medically necessary and documented — for example, a child too young to cooperate, a child with a developmental disability, or extensive treatment across multiple areas of the mouth. The coverage decision rests with TennCare and Renaissance Dental — we check your child's coverage before anything is scheduled and help with the paperwork.
Will my medical insurance cover hospital dentistry?
Often, yes. Tennessee law (Tenn. Code § 56-7-2353) requires health insurance policies to cover anesthesia and hospital charges when a child eight or under needs a dental procedure in a hospital because it cannot be performed safely in a dental office. Normal deductibles and coinsurance apply — call us and we'll help you sort out what your plan covers.
Can my child be seen without sedation first?
Always. Every sedation path starts with a regular consult, and many worried kids succeed with patient tell-show-do visits alone. For some small early cavities, options like silver diamine fluoride can slow decay without drilling while a child builds confidence.
Worried about a fearful kid?
Tell us what happened at previous visits — we specialize in second chances. A sedation consult is a conversation, not a commitment.
- Board-certified pediatric dentist
- Every comfort option under one roof
- TennCare & most insurance accepted
- 5.0-rated on Google
Come see us
Right off Jefferson Street on Dr. D.B. Todd Jr. Blvd, across from Robert Churchwell Museum Magnet Elementary — with parking at the door.
Address
1700 Dr D.B. Todd Jr Blvd
Nashville, TN 37208
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Hours
Monday – Thursday · 8 AM – 4 PM
Friday – Sunday · Closed