Choosing a Dental Sedation Dentist for Your Child’s Special Needs

If your child experiences anxiety or is unable to cooperate for needed dental work, they can benefit from sedation dentistry.

Dental procedures can cause anxiety for many adults and can be even more so for children. Having dental work can make children very anxious. The decision to use sedation is an important one and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. But there are many ways to help ease the anxiety of going to the dentist that comes with very little risk. If your child is having extensive dental work done, sedation can also mean fewer trips to the dentist.

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The Dental Anesthesia Center: Sedation and Sleep Dentistry4.9

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Lauren E.

Dr Thoms and his team are phenomenal. No question, the absolute best possible option for my child when he needed work done while sleeping (age based). While this option is not inexpensive, this set up of have anesthesiology in-house allowed us to get his mouth healthy when a traditional pediatric dentist could/would not. I am a parent that asks a lot of questions on behalf of my toddler’s care and at no point did I feel judged for this, nor was I rushed during my evaluation process during the consultation. Although the procedure is not one I would like to repeat for my child, my husband and I were both so pleased with how well Dr. Thoms communicated and how he clearly cared for our son’s wellbeing (both physical and emotional during a less than comfortable visit). Cannot recommend the back of house team more highly. My one detraction is the FOH staff (not everyone) were not nearly as pleasant. I would like to communicate that while their day-to-day is very routine for them, being in that office as a parent is very scary for some people in their office and a little bit of kindness goes along way. I do recall, having a very pleasant conversation with Rebecca, but otherwise everyone else was on the apathetic side, in my personal opinion. That said you’ll notice that I still am leaving a five star review because the dental staff really just knocked out of the park, but as a parent I want to encourage you to look past any rudeness you may experience over email or on the phone because Dr. Thom’s is really that excellent.

Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to share such thoughtful feedback. We’re grateful to hear that our team provided compassionate, attentive care and took the time to answer your questions throughout the process. We also appreciate your comments regarding your experience with our front office team and will certainly share your feedback. Your kind words mean so much to us!

steven D.

Very nice very convenient for me great people working

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad you had a positive experience with our team. We truly appreciate your 5-star review!

Curtis V.

The staff is always compassionate and explain all the steps of the procedure. This office has been a God send for me because otherwise I would have let my teeth fall into further disrepair. I highly recommend this office!!!!!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and recommendation! We’re so glad our team could help make your experience feel comfortable and supportive. We truly appreciate your 5-star review!

Cindy R.

Searching for a new dental clinic is challenging for someone who has dental anxiety, fear, and traumatic experiences in a dental chair. The staff and doctors at the Dental Anesthesia Center were immediately very welcoming. Dr. Thoms put together a very detailed plan to repair and replace the previous work that I had in the past that was now causing problems. Putting my faith in him was the best thing that I could have done for my situation. I am more than completely satisfied with all of the extensive dental work that I’ve had with Dr.Thoms. I had my fourth sleep dentistry experience yesterday and I’m very happy with my results. I highly recommend this practice and truly want to give them more than five stars! Thank you for giving me back my health and confidence. I adding to this post because of my visit today with the best dental hygienist Delaina and my exam with Dr. Biehl. I have truly never been to such a caring and supportive dental group. Everyone is always conscientious of my needs and knows that I have issues with anxiety. I am always calm when I am sitting in the chair because of their kindness. I am so pleased with the Dental anesthesia center. There needs to be more than five stars. Thank you, everyone.

Response from the owner:We know it isn’t always easy to find a dental office where you feel at ease, so your words mean the world to us. We’re so glad you feel comfortable with our team and truly appreciate your trust and recommendation!

Patricia R.

I am unusually tense about my appointments. However, from the moment I checked in I relaxed. The staff was welcoming and assuring, and helped me to relax completely. Dr. Hofmann is superb. He is by far the best dentist and dental surgeon I have ever ever experienced.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad our team helped create a welcoming and comforting experience. We appreciate you sharing your feedback!

How Dental Sedation Can Help Patients With Special Needs

Dental patients with special needs face different challenges when going to the doctor; dental care is no exception. Disability implies mental or physical impairment that limits the patient’s abilities or actions. As such, doctors have to try different approaches to be able to treat the patient.

Dentistry is notoriously dreaded by patients, and dental anxiety is widespread, even in modern times, when we see unprecedented care for the patient’s comfort. For patients with special needs, visiting the dentist’s office can be more intimidating, as they face barriers as well.

When it comes to special needs patients and their caregivers, dentistry should have a different approach than other categories of patients, and dentists are generally equipped to see special needs patients. However, they can also recommend a special needs dentist if the patient’s treatment needs highly specialized attention.

Challenges Faced by Special Needs Patients

Depending on their impairment, special needs patients can face many challenges when visiting the dentist.

• Language barriers
• Vision or hearing problems
• Psychosocial challenges: increased anxiety, poor oral health education
• Limited movement: they might need a wheelchair, or they might not be able to sustain a specific position for a long time
• Needing more time to adjust to the environment, the staff, and the dental procedures

Solutions in Dentistry for Special Needs Patients

If they decide to see a general dentist, then special needs patients or their caregivers should inform the doctor beforehand of the impairment, so that the staff can prepare best for the visit. Usually, there will be a longer period of time dedicated to the appointment, additional staff might be present, and anything that might be necessary to make the procedure possible.

One of the most helpful solutions for special needs patients is to use sedation during dental procedures. Destined for patients with dentist related anxiety or the particular group of patients who we are talking about, sedation helps them keep calm and remain still during the procedure

Doctors can choose from different types of sedation, from the mildest to general anesthesia, depending on the impairment and the length and complexity of the procedure.

Oral Sedation Dentistry

Oral sedation dentistry involves the administration of medications that calm a patient creating a drowsy, sleep-like state. Oral Sedation patients are conscious, can breathe on their own, and are able to respond to questions. This is referred to as “Sedation Dentistry.” Some children who are experiencing anxiety and are unable to cooperate for needed dental treatment can benefit from oral sedation dentistry.

There are different levels of dental sedation. When you come in for your appointment, Dr. Hoffmann or Dr. Behl will decide which level is best for you or your child.

Special Needs Dentistry

If you have a child with special needs who are unable to cooperate for dental care, we are here to help you and your loved one here at The Dental Anesthesia Center. Developmentally disabilities, special needs, and medically compromised individuals suffer from an array of dental problems just like everyone else! From dental abscesses to throbbing pain, cavities and gum disease; everyone requires individual attention and dental care.

When you and your child come in for your appointment, Dr. Hoffmann, Dr. Thoms, or Dr. Behl will decide which option is the best for your child depending on their anxiety level and cooperation.

Pediatric Dentist St. Louis

At your child’s initial oral examination, there will be a visual examination, charting, diagnosis and treatment recommendations. We work hard to make your child feel at ease by providing exceptional patient care in a relaxed, convenient atmosphere. Depending on your child’s circumstances, we will discuss if sedation or anesthesia is right for your child.