Sedation Dentistry

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

DrBowtie

Final Countdown
Moderator Emeritus
15+ Year Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2005
Messages
15,463
Reaction score
1,908
Points
5,181
Location
Classyville
  1. Resident [Any Field]
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
I am on loan from pre-allo so please return me in one piece but I had a question regarding sedation dentistry.

I wanted to get the experts opinion before I let my g/f go to one of these practices. Are they safe? What extra training is required of the dentists?

Thanks
 
They are usually very safe. Most just require you to take a pill one hour before coming and you pass out like a baby and don't remember a thing!

Of course if the dentist doesn't have a monitor checking the vital signs...RUN!!!
 
At very least I wouldn't go to a dentist who is doing sedation if they don't have a defib, a pulse ox, and an automatic BP machine. Ask to see these and also ask if they keep the reversal agents in the office for whatever meds they are utilizing (Romazicon (flumazenil) for the benzo's and Narcan (naloxone) for the narcotics if they are being utilized- particularly if they are planning on using IV sedation (although I've only seen this in oral surgeons' offices, not general dentists)

I have to go to a dentist that does sedation work and I've been to two so far and they've both been very good about being able to ask any question I've had (and I work with procedural/conscious sedation all the time so I know what to ask).
 
BrettBatchelor said:
I am on loan from pre-allo so please return me in one piece but I had a question regarding sedation dentistry.

I wanted to get the experts opinion before I let my g/f go to one of these practices. Are they safe? What extra training is required of the dentists?

Thanks
http://www.adba.org/mission.html
 
ISU_Steve said:
At very least I wouldn't go to a dentist who is doing sedation if they don't have a defib, a pulse ox, and an automatic BP machine. Ask to see these and also ask if they keep the reversal agents in the office for whatever meds they are utilizing (Romazicon (flumazenil) for the benzo's and Narcan (naloxone) for the narcotics if they are being utilized- particularly if they are planning on using IV sedation (although I've only seen this in oral surgeons' offices, not general dentists)

I have to go to a dentist that does sedation work and I've been to two so far and they've both been very good about being able to ask any question I've had (and I work with procedural/conscious sedation all the time so I know what to ask).
"Sedation dentistry" usually mean popping a xanax thirty minutes before the procedure. Most general dentists that advertise "sedation dentistry" are talking about oral sedation. Would you go to a bar without a defib, pulse ox, and BP machine? Bars serve oral sedation, too, you know.

Bottom line: if it's oral sedation, don't worry about it. Make sure the dentist knows CPR and has a phone to dial 911, that's all.
 
Top Bottom