What to Bring to Your IV Sedation Appointment: Pre-Op Checklist
Posted: Aug 11, 2026 in
Medically reviewed by Dr. Hartley, DDS — Woodcreek Dental Care (licensed by the Alberta Dental Association as a Calgary sedation dentist)
This is general information, and every patient’s situation is different. Please contact your dentist or our team for guidance specific to you.
Once your IV sedation appointment is booked, the practical questions take over: what do I eat, what do I wear, who do I need to bring? Here’s a general checklist to work from — but the instructions your dentist gives you personally for your specific procedure always take priority over anything general written here.
Before you read this: follow your dentist’s specific instructions first
Every patient’s fasting window, medication guidance, and preparation instructions can vary based on their health history and procedure. If anything below differs from what your dentist told you directly, follow what your dentist told you. This checklist is meant as a general reminder, not a replacement for those instructions.
In the days before your appointment
- Confirm your ride. You will not be able to drive yourself home after IV sedation — arrange a trusted adult who can bring you to your appointment, stay reachable, and drive you home afterward.
- Ask your dentist about any current medications and whether anything needs to be adjusted beforehand. Don’t stop or change any medication on your own without checking first.
- Clear your schedule for the rest of the appointment day. Plan to go straight home and rest — no work, no errands, no important commitments.
The night before
- Plan not to eat or drink anything for at least 6 hours before your appointment. If your dentist has given you a different window for your specific situation, follow that instead.
- Get a good night’s sleep if you can. Being rested going in tends to make the whole experience easier.
- Confirm your ride is still on for the next day.
The morning of
- Hold to the at-least-6-hour fasting window, including that morning coffee or water you might not think counts.
- Take only the medications your dentist specifically told you to take — and skip anything they told you to hold off on.
- Leave enough time to arrive relaxed rather than rushed.
What to bring with you
- Photo ID and your insurance or CDCP information if applicable
- A list of your current medications, if you haven’t already reviewed this with your dentist
- Your driver, or their contact information if they’re dropping you off and returning later
- Something comfortable to have for the ride home (a light layer, sunglasses for a sunny day) — many patients feel groggy or sensitive to light afterward
What to wear
Choose comfortable, loose-fitting clothing — nothing tight around the arm where your IV will be placed. Skip nail polish, since it can interfere with the monitoring equipment used during your procedure. Leave jewelry and valuables at home if possible.
Who needs to come with you
You need a trusted adult who can drive you home and who is available to receive your post-operative instructions on your behalf, since you may not fully retain everything yourself right away. Depending on your dentist’s guidance, they may need to be reachable at the office rather than dropping you off and leaving entirely — confirm this detail when your appointment is booked.
If anything changes before your appointment
If you get sick, your health changes, or you’re unsure whether something you’ve taken or eaten affects your fasting window, call us before your appointment rather than showing up and hoping it’s fine. It’s much easier to adjust ahead of time than on the day of.
Want the full picture of what happens once you arrive? See What Happens During IV Sedation, Step by Step. Have questions about the procedure itself before your appointment? Visit our IV Sedation service page or call us at (403) 238-2872.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drink water before my appointment?
No — plan not to eat or drink anything for at least 6 hours before your appointment. If your dentist has given you different instructions for your specific situation, follow those instead.
What if my ride falls through the day before?
Call us as soon as possible. We cannot proceed with IV sedation without a confirmed ride home, so this needs to be resolved before your appointment, not discovered that morning.
Can I take my regular morning medications?
Only take what your dentist has specifically told you to take. Some medications may need to be paused or timed differently before sedation — this is reviewed with you individually, not assumed.
Why can’t I wear nail polish?
It can interfere with the monitoring equipment used to track your vital signs during the procedure, so we ask patients to come in with clean nails.
What if I forget something on this list?
Call our office before your appointment if you’re unsure about anything — it’s always better to check ahead of time than to guess.