dentist & physician resources
Why a Dental Anesthesiologist?
As fully credentialed Dental Anesthesiologists, our education and training provides us a unique insight into the needs of your dental patients.
Dental Anesthesiologists recognize the need for deep sedation and general anesthesia to manage pain and anxiety in patients for whom local anesthesia and lighter levels of sedation are ineffective or inappropriate. Even long or invasive treatment plans in either the healthy or medically compromised patient can benefit from a Dental Anesthesiologist. This is especially relevant for pre-cooperative or uncooperative children, developmentally delayed, autistic and physically challenged patients as well as dental phobias and for the elderly with cognitive deficits.
Our clinical training includes hospital room anesthesiology as well as ambulatory anesthesia with a unique emphasis in anesthesia for dental cases. Dental Anesthesiologists can also provide nerve blocks due to advanced training and knowledge of dental local anesthetic administration.
Dental Anesthesiologists, as opposed to other anesthesia providers, can interpret radiographs and dental treatment plans, allowing unique judgment as to the degree of difficulty and helping devise better anesthesia plans specific to the individual patient. As a result, Dental Anesthesiologists can monitor and control the level of anesthesia to ensure rapid induction and recovery of patients to minimize chair time.
The Dental Anesthesiologist who works in a single office or in the offices of other dentists provides all the necessary equipment, medications and sophisticated monitors to ensure an unsurpassed margin of safety in the care of the ambulatory dental patient.
How can I make anesthesia services available to my patients?
The option for office-based anesthesia can be offered to the patient anytime, but particularly when the treatment plan is long or invasive requiring multiple appointments, the patient has underlying medical issues, in the uncooperative child, or simply where local anesthesia and lighter levels of sedation are predicted to be ineffective or inappropriate. Call Anesthesia Alternatives to discuss the details of anesthesia patient care in your office setting, and a mutually agreeable date and time is then scheduled for the procedure. If your office staff needs an orientation or facility inspection regarding office-based anesthesia in your surgical/dental office, this can gladly be arranged and scheduled by calling Anesthesia Alternatives.
The medical history should be provided for each patient scheduled so that a review of the patient's medical history can be conducted by the anesthesiologist. Depending on the patient's medical history, further diagnostic work-up might be needed. In some cases a physician physical will be requested prior to the scheduled procedure.
The Dentist Anesthesiologist will provide consultation with the patient either before or on the appointment date where the anesthetic procedure will be explained to the patient. Pre-anesthesia and post-anesthesia instructions should be discussed with the patient and will be made available to the patient in writing (provided by Anesthesia Alternatives), website download, or mail. The financial responsibility regarding the anesthesia fees should also be explained.
Do I need to provide anything extra in my office?
Equipment and supplies that are essential for providing standard of care anesthesia such as suction and oxygen are usually common in the dental office, which makes the dental office uniquely “anesthesia friendly”. One important consideration is the surgical/dental operatory space needs to be conducive to have the anesthesia monitors and equipment. At the start of our working relationship, an anesthesiologist can visit your facility to assess your equipment and medical needs upon request. We then provide all necessary equipment, medications and supplies, including a crash cart. As your anesthesia provider, we take a partnership role in establishing a system in your practice that reduces risk, eliminates inefficiencies and optimizes patient flow.
How will such services affect my mal-practice insurance?
It is always recommended that you contact your policy carrier and inform them that you will start making such services available through a separate anesthesia provider. In almost all cases it will not affect your premium in any way. Most commonly, they might request a copy of the anesthesiologist malpractice proof of coverage for their records.
Is Office-Based Anesthesia Suitable for Everyone?
Office-based anesthesia is not suitable for everyone. It is the responsibility of the anesthesiologist to judge whether the patient, the location, or the procedure is appropriate for an office-based anesthetic. Dental anesthesiologists are trained to recognize and eliminate risks, which leads to the outstanding safety record by these trained individuals. Therefore, patients have to be medically and physically suitable for receiving anesthesia and surgical care in the office. This will be determined through careful evaluation by the anesthesiologist in coordination with surgeon/dentist, and with the patient's primary care physician if necessary.
Who are Candidates for Office-based Anesthesia ?
Candidates include, but are not limited to:
Patients where local anesthesia or lighter levels of sedation are ineffective or inappropriate
Patients with underlying psychiatric or medical issues that require special management during dental treatment: hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s Disease.
Pre-cooperative or uncooperative children
Developmental Delayed, Autistic, and physically handicapped patients
Hyperactive gag reflex
Dental phobics
Long or invasive procedures where multiple visits can be combined for patient convenience
