The University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing and College of Dentistry are partnering to provide required health screenings for pediatric dental patients.
Nursing faculty at the university are now providing health screenings for patients undergoing general anesthesia at the Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation Pediatric Dentistry Outpatient Care Center, a division of the university's dental school.
Prior health screenings are required to ensure patients are low-risk for adverse reactions to the anesthetic. Parents previously had to gain clearance through their child's primary care provider, which could lead to delays in treatment, according to a July 26 news release.
The center, which opened last year, treats children with severe cavities. Most patients are under 4 years old, which requires them to undergo general anesthesia to tolerate the procedures.