Are you thinking about having IV sedation for your or your child’s next dental appointment? Dental sedation can be confusing. Is it the same sedation you would receive at the hospital? Then what type of safety precautions are in place?
The Importance Of A Qualified Anesthesiologist For Dental Sedation
It is important for the dentist to focus solely on the dental procedure while a separate qualified anesthesiologist is present to administer and monitor anesthesia, similar to a hospital setting. Ensuring all the safety precautions are in place.
The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation list some important questions to ask your anesthesia professional.
What type of anesthesia do you recommend for my procedure and why?
What may I expect as after effects of anesthesia?
May I share what matters and concerns me most about anesthesia?
What are special anesthesia considerations for my specific medical conditions?
Should I expect pain during recovery from this procedure, how will we handle it and what options are available?
Do your recommendations change because of my specific medical history with pain management? ( e.g., a specific medicine does not work for me, I am very sensitive to all medications)
Will anesthesia affect my cognitive functioning (brain function and memory), what might I expect and what can I do to help?
What should I NOT do before anesthesia and surgery?
What medications should I take and what medications should I not take before surgery?
What else can I do to help myself be strong and fit for anesthesia and surgery?
Who will be on my anesthesia team and what is the experience and qualifications of the team?
Third Party Nurse Anesthetist
It’s important to have a separate nurse anesthetist, whose sole purpose is to perform the sedation and monitor the patient’s vital signs. Ensure they are experienced and properly trained in providing IV sedation, as well as meeting all the standards of the ADA Guidelines for the Use of Sedation and General Anesthesia by Dentists.
This is why so many dental offices are partnering with Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA). Someone who is qualified/certified to administer the sedation and monitor vital signs during the procedure, for the safest and most effective form of sedation
For those living in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine IV sedation can improve your experience at the dentist.
Contact Blue Sky Anesthesia Associates for more information and to make an appointment.
