Hospital Dentistry Process
Some patients require hospital dentistry due to medical and/or behavioral challenges. When a patient is new to our practice, following the patient registration process, they meet with Dr. Lekavich in an evaluation session so he can learn about their dental and medical history and any oral health concerns the patient and/or the caregivers experiences.
If it is determined that a patient is a candidate for hospital dentistry, they will be scheduled for treatment and asked to obtain a preoperative clearance to ensure that their primary care physician and/or specialist(s) address any known medical issue.
That clearance is then reviewed by Dr. Lekavich and when complete, is then forwarded to the hospital preoperative department for further clearance. Lastly, the anesthesiologist that is working with Dr. Lekavich at the hospital reviews the preoperative clearance as well as asks for any additional information she/he requires. Once deemed complete, the case is medically cleared and ready to go.
Preoperative orders that PCPs and specialists can use for their assessment are linked below. These are the minimum requirements; it depends on each patient as to what additional clearance requirements are necessary.
Provider Forms
- Provider Preoperative Fax Cover Letter
- UCLA Anesthesia Preoperative Evaluation Center - Medical Consultant Checklist
After Care Instructions
What To Expect After Hospital Dentistry
After your dental treatment at the hospital some, not all, patients may experience some of the following post operative sensations:
- A dry throat due to the nasal intratracheal tube, which sometimes requires anti inflammatory medication such Advil or Tylenol®, depending on any other medication interaction you have – please discuss with your doctor.
- Light headedness for 24 hours – no strenuous activity for at least 24 hours and/or longer depending on patient tolerance.
- When treating patients with challenging oral hygiene, some bleeding for a couple days after is normal.
Always contact Dr. Lekavich for any concerns or questions you have before, day of, and after your dental treatment.