Finding Sedation Dentistry Near Me: A Guide
Depending on your geographic location, each state has different licensing and training requirements for dentists to be able to use sedation as a part of their practice. General dentists often use nitrous oxide during different dental procedures, but they may not have the option of using IV sedation. Even less often, general anesthesia can be used in sedation dentistry with the proper supervision and approval. You may need to look to an oral surgeon if general anesthesia is your preferred type of dental sedation.
How Can I Find A Sedation Dentist Near Me You Ask?
The most time effective and efficient way to find a list of your options for a dentist that offers sedation is to reach out to your state board for dentistry. The board will be able to direct you to a list of local dentists licensed and approved to use different forms of sedation. Based on this list, you can select your preferred dental professional and set up a consultation appointment. You will get an opportunity to meet the office staff, the dentist and familiarize yourself with the office to determine if it is a good fit. Be sure to talk to the dentist about the different types of sedation offered, your level of anxiety, and the type of procedure or appointment you require. Sedation dentistry is not limited to people with dental phobias but can be helpful for children, elderly people, people with certain medical conditions and people with cognitive issues that prevent them from having the healthiest mouth they deserve.
What to Look for in a Sedation Dentist
There is not a specific definition of a sedation dentist and sedation has been used in dentistry for decades in the form of Novocaine. Most people are looking for a different type of sedation; they are looking to be more comfortable during their dental appointment. The current estimate is 9-15% of adults in the United States avoid going to the dentist out of fear. While some people only experience mild anxiety, others find themselves near hysteria. The best questions to ask the sedation dentist are:
- What experience does the dentist have with sedation? What kinds of sedations does the dentist prefer to use? Does the dentist have credentials at any local hospitals?
- What kinds of patients are the most common at this office? Are you in the majority? If not, keep looking until you are.
- Which sedatives are offered at this office? One type does not address all issues or all people so you need a treatment plan specialized to you.
- Who are the other dental specialists this dentist partners with? Will your treatment need work from a prosthodontist, periodontist, or endodontist? Can your dental needs be completed in one dental appointment to minimize the number of times you need sedation?
- If you are considering sedation for your child, does this dentist specialize as a pediatric sedation dentist?
- Does your insurance policy cover the sedation you require? Is this dentist willing to set a payment plan as an alternative if your insurance does not cover it?
- Based on the location of the office in relation to your home, plan on having someone else help you there and home if you are not nearby. Ask the dentist how the long appointment will take to help you plan.