Question of the Day: Procedural sedation

It may seem like a good idea, especially considering how badly some children react to pain, discomfort, touch, and restraint. But procedural sedation, or putting kids to sleep for things like dental work, looks a little more dangerous today with the story of little Diamond Brownbridge hitting the news. The Chicago five-year-old fell into a coma after a dentist apparently administered too much sedation before filling some cavities and capping some teeth. Doctors today informed the family that the little girl is brain dead, and a malpractice suit may follow. Is the reduction of stress and struggle worth the risk of serious, even fatal consequences? Parents who have no choice but to say "yes" are advised to ask lots of questions about what sedatives are being used on their children, who's doing the monitoring, and how well qualified and equipped the staff is for these procedures. Do you have your child sedated for dental work? Select an answer from the poll at right, or click on "other" and explain yourself in the comments.

• More polls