If you’re having wisdom teeth removed, dental implant surgery, gum surgery, or another dental procedure involving sedation, you may be told that you need a responsible adult to take you home afterward. And no… that doesn’t mean simply calling a ride when you’re ready to leave.
Many dental offices require someone to come inside, speak with the staff, receive your aftercare instructions, and make sure you get home safely. In most cases, they may not begin your procedure until your pickup person has been confirmed.
So, it goes without saying that can create a problem if you don’t have anyone to ask. Or maybe you could ask friends or family, but they’re busy, working, or maybe you just don’t want to ask for a favor. I get it!
The good news is… you can hire someone to be your dental surgery escort.
Who can be my dental surgery escort?
If you’re having dental surgery in the Metro Vancouver area, you can hire Miss Happy Helper.
Why can’t you go home alone after dental sedation?
Even if you’re awake and feeling fine, sedation can temporarily affect your coordination, balance, memory, and judgment. You may also feel tired, groggy, dizzy, or slightly confused after your procedure. That’s why many dental offices won’t release a patient to leave alone or take public transit without another responsible adult accompanying them.
Safety is KEY!
Each dental office has its own discharge policy, so it’s important to confirm the exact requirements before booking your appointment or arranging your escort.
How does the dental surgery escort service work?
The service can be tailored to the discharge requirements provided by your dentist or oral surgeon.
- I’ll arrive at the dental office at the agreed-upon time
- I’ll identify myself as your designated pickup person
- I’ll speak with the dental team before you are discharged
- I’ll receive any aftercare information they need to provide
- I’ll accompany you home after your procedure
- I’ll ensure you get inside safely
- I can also make sure you’re comfortably settled before I leave, if you like
Depending on your needs, additional support may also be available if you would like someone to stay with you for a short period after you arrive home, or even overnight.
Who hires a dental surgery escort?
This service may be helpful if:
- You live alone
- Your family lives outside Metro Vancouver
- Your friends or family members are working during your appointment
- You don’t want to ask someone to take time off work
- Your appointment is scheduled during regular business hours
- You are visiting Vancouver and don’t have local support
- You would feel more comfortable having someone with you
Needing an escort doesn’t mean you can’t take care of yourself. It simply means the dental office has safety rules that must be followed after sedation.
Not everyone has someone nearby who can drop everything in the middle of the day. That’s exactly why this service exists.
Plan your ride home before your procedure.
It’s best to arrange your dental surgery escort in advance. If you don’t know the time yet, that’s ok… as long as you know the date, you can book. Appointment and discharge times can vary, and availability isn’t always guaranteed for last-minute requests.
Before booking, ask your dental office:
- Does my escort need to be present before the procedure begins?
- What time should my escort arrive?
- Will the office call my escort when I’m ready?
- Do I need someone to remain with me after I get home?
Having this information ahead of time helps everything go more smoothly on the day of your procedure.
You can RELY on Miss Happy Helper and have peace of mind…
You don’t need to cancel or postpone your dental surgery simply because you don’t have someone available to take you home.
If you need a responsible adult to pick you up after dental surgery in Metro Vancouver, I’d be happy to discuss your appointment details and how I may be able to help. (Trina helps people across Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam, Port Moody, Surrey, Langley, and White Rock.)