What is a CRNA? CRNA stands for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. They work closely with dentists, going to their office to provide save IV sedation for their patents – both adults and children – who are apprehensive or anxiety when have dental treatments done.
Whether it is a lengthy or complex procedure, IV sedation is a great option.
Unfortunately, the shot of anesthetic that makes you feel numb during a dental treatment isn’t enough for many patients. Which is why IV sedation has become so popular.
But some patients worry when it comes to anesthesia, but there have been many advancements in equipment, technology and training to make one of the safest fields in medicine.
IV sedation prevents the signals of pain from reaching your brain. This ensures you stay calm and relaxed before, during and after the procedure.
Who is a good candidate for dental sedation?
Children who find it uncomfortable sitting still for an extended period of time
Those who get anxious about dental procedures
Patients with negative or traumatic past dental appointments
Those with a low tolerance for pain or extreme tooth sensitivity
Patients who are nervous about having dental instruments in their mouth
Those with a sensitive gag reflex
Who is doing your sedation?
The American Society of Anesthesiologists suggests, the dentist should have a separate “a qualified individual”, to do the sedation and to monitor both the vital signs and heart rate, because it “reduces risk of adverse events,” said Dr. Jeffrey S. Plagenhoef, the society’s president.
The anesthesiologists’ society strongly recommends a qualified anesthesia provider for any dentistry using an IV. The fact is, instead of having the dentist do both the IV sedation and the procedure, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, CRNA, will make the procedure much safer, for children and adults.
According to a recent article in the New York Times, Should Kids Be Sedated for Dental Work?, “The quality of dentists’ sedation training matters, because a dentist needs to be able to choose the right candidates and the appropriate drug and know how to rescue an oversedated child.”
