Positive separation in pediatric dental sedation
Dr. Denise Chan, anesthesiologist with Pediatric Dental Anesthesia Associates (PDAA), says that positive separation during procedures promotes a safe, calm, and efficient environment.
Dr. Denise Chan, Pediatric Anesthesiologist, explains a helpful approach to anesthesia used by Pediatric Dental Anesthesia Associates
For many families, dental visits can be an emotional experience — especially when sedation or anesthesia is involved. A thoughtful, developmentally appropriate approach to separating children from their parents or caregivers before procedures can significantly reduce distress and promote a smoother clinical experience. This is known as “positive separation.”
Positive separation is rooted in pediatric psychology and anesthesia practices. While some parents wish to be present during induction, research and experience have shown that many children — particularly toddlers and young school-aged kids — cope better when separation is handled calmly and confidently by the care team.
Children take emotional cues from the adults around them. If a parent appears anxious or tearful, the child is more likely to become upset. By contrast, when the dental and anesthesia team confidently explains what to expect and offers reassurance, the child is more likely to transition calmly. Using age-appropriate language, offering choices (e.g., mask flavor), and engaging the child with distraction techniques like bubbles or toys can all help ease the process.
Timing and tone are also essential. Positive separation works best when it is brief, direct, and supported by a consistent message from both parents and providers. Phrases like, “Mom will be waiting for you as soon as you wake up,” delivered with a smile and gentle redirection, help normalize the process.
It’s equally important to prepare parents in advance. Many parents are understandably apprehensive about being separated from their child. Preoperative discussions should explain why separation is recommended and how it benefits the child. Most parents are receptive when they understand that their presence during induction could inadvertently increase anxiety or interfere with clinical procedures.
Additionally, allowing parents to reunite with their child as soon as it is safe in the recovery phase reinforces trust. Seeing their child wake up peacefully and be cared for by trained professionals helps parents feel included, reassured, and grateful for the care their child received.
Ultimately, positive separation is not about excluding parents — it’s about promoting a safe, calm, and efficient environment for the child. With a skilled and compassionate team such as Pediatric Dental Anesthesia Associates (PDAA), most children handle separation well and even bounce back with smiles. When implemented thoughtfully, this practice supports a child-centered approach that prioritizes emotional well-being alongside clinical excellence.
Pediatric Dental Anesthesia Associates (PDAA) is a team of board-certified physician (MD) anesthesiologists with vast experience in the care of pediatric dental patients providing sedation services directly and exclusively to pediatric dental offices across the country. After more than 18 years of helping over 400,000 patients with zero incidents, PDAA is now serving more than 700 different pediatric dental offices in 25 states. Please visit pediatricsedation.com to learn more, and see PDAA’s Google Business page for more than 3,500 5-star reviews from previous satisfied parents.
This information was provided by Pediatric Dental Anesthesia Associates.
Denise Chan, MD, is a board-certified pediatric anesthesiologist. She graduated summa cum laude from Rice University and earned her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine, where she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. Dr. Chan completed her residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, in Anesthesiology, and fellowships at Boston Children’s Hospital in Pediatric Anesthesiology and Boston Children’s Hospital in Global Pediatric Anesthesia.