Use cannabis? Learn how it can affect dental sedation and what to tell us before your visit. No judgment.
Since Missouri voters legalized recreational cannabis in 2022, more people use it, whether to relax, sleep, manage pain, or ease anxiety. If you are one of them and have dental treatment with sedation or general anesthesia coming up, we have one request: tell us.
We do not ask to judge or lecture. We ask because cannabis can change how your body responds to sedation medications, and knowing ahead of time helps us plan your care. If you have questions before your visit, call The Dental Anesthesia Center at (314) 862-7844 or request a consultation.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star Google review! We truly appreciate your support and are grateful you chose The Dental Anesthesia Center!
Everyone took time to address our daughter directly. They explained each step to her, even though she is nonverbal and most likely would not respond. No one acted afraid of her. This means a lot to us. Thank you for seeing her.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 4-star review! We believe everyone deserves to feel seen, respected, and valued, and we’re grateful your experience reflected that. ❤️
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!
I had a dental problem that needed attention quickly. They got me in the next day and we identified the problem and came up with a great solution. I have been going there for over 10 years and they always come through.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your continued trust in our team over the years! We’re always happy to help and truly appreciate your kind words and recommendation!
Always a great experience. Carrie does a wonderful job keeping my smile healthy and bright. Dr. Thoms is always very nice and professional. They make going to the dentist much less stressful!
Response from the owner:Thank you for the great feedback! We're so glad Carrie and Dr. Thoms have made your visits comfortable and enjoyable.
I’ve had wonderful experiences at this dental office. The team is professional, the care is top-notch, and appointments run smoothly. I’ve never had to wait long in the waiting room. I highly recommend them!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and recommendation! We’re so glad to hear you’ve had such positive experiences with our team. We truly appreciate your support!
I love coming to the Dental CENTER , all the ladies are so nice and they keep you up to date. Dr. Belah is great and Carrie are so good. They do a great job.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you’ve had such a positive experience with our team. We’ll be sure to share your appreciation with Dr. Behl, Carrie, and the rest of the team!
Dr. Hoffman is a friendly individual and readily answers can't questions you may have. His office staff are all friendly. One in particular,Meaghan, has learned to put up with the grumpy old guy from Illinois. I would recommend you give these people a try for your special needs relative.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind words and recommendation! We’re so glad to hear you’ve felt welcomed and well cared for by Dr. Hoffman and our team. And we’ll be sure to let Meaghan know she’s doing a great job putting up with our “grumpy old guy from Illinois!”
The Best Dental Office In St Louis! Thanks for keeping my pearly whites shining! … back again and they always do a great job and make me feel comfortable! They have an exceptional staff who are friendly and also very good at their jobs!!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you always feel comfortable and well cared for. Our team truly appreciates your kind words!
The practice is top notch. Could not ask for better care. Wish dental care was more affordable.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re grateful for your feedback and are proud to provide high-quality care in a supportive environment.
The best staff for dealing with my level 3 non verbal autistic son. Very understanding and supportive.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad our team could provide a supportive and understanding experience. Your feedback means so much to us!
Dr Thoms is the best. He and his team are very attentive and extremely dedicated to the dental care for our special needs son
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! We truly appreciate your recognition of Dr. Thoms and our team. Providing compassionate, attentive care is at the heart of what we do!
We brought our 1.5 and 3.5 year old daughters here for cleaning / check ups. Our dental hygienist Laina was amazing...made them feel so comfortable. They had a great time and keep asking when they can go to the dentist again. Dr. Hoffman was great too and made everything super quick and not stressful. Great place for kids in addition to adults!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad to hear your little ones had such a positive experience. We’ll be sure to share your compliments with Laina and Dr. Hoffman! 💙
Every person in the office is so personable. That first off makes you comfortable. But then the methods used to clean my teeth, particularly. I don't feel a thing, and it's the first time in my life that I haven't. And I have a lot of anxiety about dental work, and I really do not feel a thing when my teeth are being cleaned
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad our team could help make your experience comfortable and relaxing. It means so much to know you felt at ease with your care!
I came here with my 18 year old daughter who has an immense fear of Doctors and Dentist , The kindness and understanding without any judgement we received from Dr.Thom was just unbelievable. The work he did on my daughter was life changing for her . I would recommend him to anyone . Just amazing, kind talented Doctor.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your heartfelt words! It means a great deal to our team to know that you felt welcomed, understood, and cared for. We’re especially grateful you shared how meaningful your experience was.
We met Dr. Shawn in Sept 2023 and in December, he removed our adult nonverbal son's wisdom teeth. Not gonna hold you, general anesthesia is billed incrementally (by the minute/quarter-hour) and is a heavy financial investment. I love this clinic because it really is a safe space for special needs families. There's a huge calm that accompanies knowing your dependent person is getting healthy. Dr. Shawn is exceptional. We drove 6 hours to get here so we'll choose a local practice for routine sedation cleanings down the road. I hope to see more neurodivergent acceptance built locally in our state's dentistry like this team has here. Meanwhile we are so grateful for this practice and grateful our son was in Dr. Shawn's care.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for sharing your heartfelt words. We’re honored to be a place where families feel safe, supported, and understood. Your trust in Dr. Thoms and our team truly means so much to us.
Dr. Thoms and Robin are excellent in their care, concern, and support. Dr. Thoms explains everything and takes his time. If I have questions or concerns, he is easy to talk to and listens well.Robin is right there by my side throughout procedures. Her technical skills and professionalism are impressive. She is terrific!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad Dr. Thoms and Robin made you feel heard, supported, and cared for. We’ll be sure to share your wonderful compliments with them—they’ll mean so much!
Individualized care, expertise in general anesthesia, and attention to detail are why we keep returning for our son.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and continued trust in our team! We’re grateful to be part of your family’s care and truly appreciate your confidence in us.
Why Cannabis Matters in Sedation
You May Need Different Medication Doses
Research on cannabis and sedation is still growing, and results are mixed. One study of patients having IV sedation for oral surgery found that people who used marijuana needed higher doses of two common sedation medications. Another small study found the difference disappeared once patient weight and procedure length were taken into account. Regular, heavy use seems to matter more than occasional use. Either way, your anesthesia team can plan better when they know what to expect.
It Can Affect Your Heart
THC, the main active ingredient in cannabis, can raise your heart rate and affect blood pressure. National anesthesia guidelines note that the risk of heart problems is highest in the first couple of hours after smoking. Edibles act more slowly and can last longer, so timing matters too. The epinephrine in many dental numbing medications can also raise heart rate, another reason to plan ahead.
Smoking and Vaping Can Affect Your Airways
Inhaled cannabis can irritate the airways, much like tobacco smoke. During sedation and general anesthesia, your team watches your breathing closely, and knowing about regular smoking or vaping helps them prepare.
It Can Affect How You Feel Afterward
Guidelines also note that frequent, heavy cannabis use has been linked to more pain after procedures and to harder pain control. Knowing in advance lets us plan for your comfort during recovery.
What About CBD?
CBD products do not cause a high, but they are not automatically off the list. CBD can interact with some medications by changing how the liver processes them. Products are also not always labeled accurately, and some sold as CBD contain THC. If you use CBD, include it when you tell us about your medications.
What Current Anesthesia Guidance Says
In 2023, the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine released the first U.S. guidelines on cannabis use around surgery and anesthesia. Key points include:
Every patient should be asked about cannabis use, including the type of product, how it is used, how much, how often, and when it was last used.
Procedures should be postponed if a patient arrives with impaired thinking or judgment from cannabis, because they cannot safely consent or be cared for as planned.
Elective procedures should wait at least two hours after smoking cannabis, because of the higher short-term risk of heart problems.
Frequent, heavy users should be counseled about the possible effects on pain control after a procedure.
These guidelines were written for surgery in general, and sedation dentistry follows the same principles. Your own instructions will depend on your health and your treatment plan.
What To Tell Us Before You Visit
When we review your health history, please share:
What you use: smoked or vaped flower, edibles, oils, tinctures, or CBD-only products
How often and how much, as best you can estimate
When you last used it, and whether you use it to manage pain, sleep, or anxiety
Any other medications or supplements you take
Your answers are part of your medical record, protected like any other health information, and they are used only to plan your care safely. Telling us is not a problem. It helps us choose the right approach.
Then follow the instructions we give you in the days leading up to your appointment, and arrive clear-headed and ready. If you are unsure about anything, call us before your visit rather than guessing.
At The Dental Anesthesia Center, our dentist anesthesiologists and sedation dentists plan IV sedation and general anesthesia around each patient’s full health history, including medications, supplements, and cannabis use.
Contact The Dental Anesthesia Center
If you use cannabis and need dental care with sedation, a short, honest conversation before your appointment is all it takes to start a safer plan.
