Everything went great today for her surgery but I do have some feedback about other things. My daughter was scheduled to be put to sleep to undergo a root canal. They ended up needing more anthesia which I was willing to pay for. Surgery was supposed to be an hour (I was told this before they started), and it ended up being 2 hours because of some minor complications. Noone came to the lobby to inform us. When it was over, I asked to see her. They said I had to pay first. I just paid almost 5k and they were more worried about an additional $300 before allowing me to see my daughter? This didn't sit right. I didn't say anything. I paid the bill and went to see my daughter. Dr. Hoffman is the nicest man I have ever met! He was outstanding.
Also, in the weeks before her surgery, the office appeared to not communicate. I would receive a call saying one thing then someone else would say another. They were never on the same page.
Last week, they needed to speak with me to confirm a few things. They called me at 8:16am then again at 1:06pm. Leaving me a voicemail that if they do not hear from me they were going to cancel her surgery. Wow! I work. I work 8am-5pm. I do not have access to my phone during those hours. They did leave a voicemail and I would have called the next day but they did not give me a chance before sending me an email threatening to cancel.
Also, they had called me several weeks before to inform me I had no insurance. I called my insurance company and they said I did. Not sure what happened but it resulted in unnecessary phone calls during my only free 20 minutes at work.
If your appointment is at 10am, do not plan on seeing anyone for awhile. All our appointments ran an hour behind.
I think Dr. Hoffman is wonderful but the office staff needs some help.
Not friendly at all. Noone even smiled!
The nurses in the room with my daughter were great too.
I went to nervous and 3 to 4 hours later, I essentially woke up in the car on my way home without realizing anything had happened. If you have trauma with previous dental issues, this is the place. I have a had severe dental trauma my entire life. Until now, they are all fantastic.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your experience. We’re grateful our team could help provide a comfortable experience and appreciate your trust in us.
Our experience was wonderful. Our Down’s Syndrome son is very apprehensive about his appointments, but Dr. Thoms and all of his staff made our son more compliant. Each member seems vested in their job and are so kind and caring. Thank you for a positive experience.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad your family had a positive experience. Our team takes great pride in providing compassionate, individualized care, and your feedback means so much to us!
Everyone is always very welcoming and professional.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad our team makes you feel welcome. We truly appreciate your support!
Most people have a dental complaint at some point in time. Those with special needs too may need dental treatment at some point in life. In fact, they can even be more vulnerable to dental problems if they are taking medication. People with Parkinson’s disease, Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Alzheimer’s disease, or those who are medically or mentally challenged may not find it very comfortable to undergo dental treatment.
It is estimated that almost 13 million children suffer from a chronic disability. Nearly 20% of the population has some special need which restricts them from receiving proper dental care.
Dental diseases are generally preventable to some extent. They are not like the other health problems that especially challenged people face. Therefore, it is essential to provide them with excellent dental care in the most convenient way. Our sedation dentists understand their needs and offer a friendly, relaxing environment for their treatment. We make an effort to ensure that people with special needs also have healthy teeth and gums like everyone else.
Sedation Dentistry – An Easy Way Out
Most people do not like the idea of visiting a dentist. Patients with special needs may find it to be even more difficult. They may be very sensitive to new surroundings and may not like any changes in their daily routine.
Sedation dentistry can be beneficial for them. It can help them to undergo the treatment without anxiety and pain.
The person taking care of them can tell them that the sedation dentist is there to relieve them from their dental troubles. The dentist can schedule the treatment to be performed when the patient is most calm. Moreover, a person can stay with the patient in the room when the dental treatment is done.
Types Of Sedation
The sleep dentist may administer different levels of sedation to the patients on the basis of their needs.
He may decide to use oral sedation for the special needs patient who is nervous when they come for a dental check-up and treatment. This will help relax and calm them.
The sedation dentist may prefer to use conscious sedation for patients with special needs who become restless during the dental treatment. He will administer this through IV.
If the patient needs to undergo extensive treatment, the dentist may choose to use general anesthesia. This will have a deeper impact and make the patient more relaxed.
St. Louis Special Needs Dentistry
At The Dental Anesthesia Center we are here to help you and your loved one. The reasons that keep a person away from the dentist are personal and unique to each individual. We are a full-service dental practice providing care to various patients for all of their dental needs and desires. Call us today to schedule your initial appointment at (314) 862-7844. We look forward to meeting you!
