We want to clarify that we are physician anesthesiologists, not dental anesthesiologists. As board-certified medical doctors, we have completed full medical school, residency training in anesthesiology, and subspecialty experience in caring for both children and adults across a wide variety of settings. Unlike dental anesthesia providers, our training encompasses the management of complex medical conditions, advanced airway techniques, and hospital-level anesthesia care. This distinction ensures that when we provide sedation in the dental office, patients receive the same level of safety, monitoring, and expertise they would expect in a hospital operating room.

The first step in getting started with our office is to complete the information sheet located at https://www.csamdllc.com/newdds. Once we receive your information we will reach out to set up a call to answer any question you may have so that we can get your office set up to conduct in office sedation.

Once your office has completed the onboarding process for sedation, you will be provided with secure portal access where you can submit patient information directly to our team. After each submission, we will confirm receipt so you know the request has been received. We will also keep you updated on the status of each patient—both those who have successfully connected with us (ie submitted their forms and deposits) and any patients we have not yet been able to reach. This ensures clear communication and seamless coordination throughout the scheduling process.

There are several levels of sedation available, depending on the patient’s needs and the type of dental procedure being performed. The most common include nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, which provides mild relaxation while allowing patients to remain fully conscious. Oral sedation, delivered through prescribed medication, produces a moderate level of relaxation that may cause drowsiness. IV sedation allows for deeper relaxation, with the medication administered directly into the bloodstream and adjusted in real time. General anesthesia, while less common in dental offices, renders the patient completely unconscious and is typically reserved for more complex or hospital-based procedures.

Sedation may be administered through inhalation, oral tablets, or IV medications, depending on the level of relaxation required. Once sedation begins, patients are continuously monitored to ensure their safety and comfort. Monitoring includes measuring oxygen saturation, heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, carbon dioxide levels, and temperature. This is done using advanced hospital-grade equipment, with trained anesthesia providers present throughout the procedure. The ability to monitor patients closely ensures that the sedation is both safe and effective, while adjustments can be made at any time to meet the patient’s needs.

Sedation is administered by board-certified pediatric anesthesiologists. These specialists have advanced training in the care of children and use short-acting, carefully dosed medications that can be adjusted as needed during treatment. Parents are reassured knowing their child is under the care of medical physicians who specialize exclusively in pediatric anesthesia.

Preparation for sedation begins with a comprehensive pre-procedure evaluation. This includes reviewing the patient’s medical history, allergies, medications, and any past experiences with anesthesia. A physical exam and airway assessment are performed to identify any risks. In addition, patients are given specific pre-appointment instructions, such as fasting requirements—often no food or drink for at least 8 hours before the procedure, as recommended by providers like Aspire Anesthesia. These steps ensure that the patient is properly prepared and that the procedure can be carried out as safely as possible.

In order for us to safely provide dental sedation in your office, we require the following to be available on-site: a reliable source of oxygen and nitrous oxide, a backup E-cylinder of oxygen in case of emergency, an automated external defibrillator (AED), and a wheelchair to assist with transferring an older child who cannot be carried into the recovery area. These items are essential to ensure that we can deliver hospital-level anesthesia care and respond appropriately should any urgent situation arise.