Why suffer with pain and anxiety at the dentist if you don’t have to? Or if you have a child who you dread taking to the dentist because of their fear and tears they experience? IV sedation is an innovative approach to dentistry.
The National Library of Medicine discusses the current trend in intravenous sedative for dental procedures
Anxiety and phobia in dental procedures are common deterrents for patients visiting the dental care unit. For these individuals, procedural sedation may aid in completion of dental treatments. In most cases, the patients are conscious during sedation, thereby allowing spontaneous ventilation. Intravenous sedation (IVS) is widely used during dental treatment to relieve patient anxiety.
IVS is the most effective route of administration to achieve this goal, but it requires advanced training, more than that provided during undergraduate education. During IVS, rapid onset, repetitive drug administration, easy titration, and rapid recovery from sedation can be achieved. However, conscious sedation during IVS can result in deep sedation that can cause respiratory and cardiovascular depression. Therefore, the characteristics of intravenous sedatives should be known.
As you can see, it is important to know who is administering the sedation
While some dentist get some training and perform both the dental procedure and sedation, known as the ‘single operator’ model, has come under fire from many agencies.
This troublesome scenario has had disastrous results. In a hospital based setting all the proper requirements must be fulfilled by someone who is either a physician, nurse or midlevel provider.
“The situation in some dental offices is worrisome given the considerable state-to-state variability in anesthesia requirements in the dental setting. Most states allow a “single-operator” model in which a dentist holding a state-issued anesthesia permit may administer sedatives/anesthetics and perform the dental procedure. Often, the person monitoring the patient under sedation is a dental assistant whose training varies from state to state and who may have no more than a high school diploma and a certificate course.” American Academy of Pediatrics.
Blue Sky Anesthesia Associates follows the strict American Dental Association guidelines and protocols throughout the procedure. Prior to your appointment, Certified, Registered and Licensed Nurse Anesthesiologist will work closely with you to determine the best course of treatment and answer any questions.
