To ease anxiety, dentistry has developed sedation methods that help patients relax during dental treatment.
Did you know 50% of people admit to some form of anxiety visiting the dentist, with roughly 1 in 6 avoiding dental care altogether because of it? To ease anxiety, dentistry has developed sedation methods that help patients relax during dental treatment.
Dr. Thoms and staff are Amazing! My son is Autistic and he loves it there. It’s always scary to put your child with disabilities under anesthesia. So it’s a relief to have such compassionate professionals to rely upon They are so sweet and kind to him it’s so nice to have people who genuinely care.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! Our team is dedicated to creating a comfortable and supportive experience for everyone who visits our office. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback and for trusting us with your family’s care.
The Dental Anesthesia Center (DAC) is awesome. When I started there 19 years ago my dental health had deteriorated and my fears were intense. Their expertise and compassion got me back on the right dental track. I still get nervous - but things are so much better now in terms of my dental and gum health.. Don't lose hope - try the DAC!
My appointment today was for a cleaning - and a standard check of gum health etc. Carrie - as always - did EXCELLENT work. She is very kind and thorough and knowledgeable .. and patiently answers all my questions. Carrie is positive and supportive with us patients ... and provides guidance on better at-home care for our teeth and gums.
My thanks also to the office staff who are very helpful with questions or concerns.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your continued trust and kind words! We're honored to have be part of your journey. It means so much to know we've made a lasting impact—your story is truly inspiring!
We’re very thankful to have found the kind folks at the dental anesthesia center. They are patient and informative with what’s needed and how it will get done. Big shoutout to Rebekah and crew at the front desk who always help us figure out all the paperwork and scheduling. Thank you Dr. Behl for your awesome bedside manner! Highly recommend to others
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and recommendation! We’re so glad you had a positive experience with our team. We truly appreciate your support and look forward to continuing to provide compassionate, helpful care.
The entire team at The Dental Anesthesia Center is exceptional.
Not only is Dr. Hoffmann a 10/10 dentist, but he is very trustworthy and only recommends procedures when necessary.
The dental hygienists are uniformly wonderful. During cleanings, they are gentle but are still able to carry on a conversation as they work.
If i moved an hour away, I would still drive my family here for any dental needs.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so grateful for your trust in our team and are glad your experience with our doctors and hygienists has been a positive one. We truly appreciate your support!
I love this dentist office! Everyone is so friendly and accommodating. Dr. Thoms is an excellent dentist that listens to you and makes sure everything is done to your satisfaction. They do TRUE dental sedation. Not just give you a pill like other offices’s that claim they do sedation. Since I am allergic to medicine a dentist normally uses I have to be truly sedated to have work done on my teeth. They do Botox for teeth grinding and TMJ also
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind 5-star review! We truly appreciate your thoughtful feedback and are glad you had a positive experience with our team and services. Your trust means so much to us.
Types of Sedation Dentistry
Many can achieve relaxation with an oral sedative taken about an hour before a visit. , some with acute anxiety may need deeper sedation through an intravenous (IV) injection of medication. Unlike general anesthesia, which achieves complete unconsciousness to block pain, IV sedation reduces consciousness to a controllable level. Patients aren’t so much “asleep” as in a “semi-awake” state that’s safe and effective for reducing anxiety.
While there are various IV medications, the most popular for dental offices are the benzodiazepines, most often Midazolam (Versed). Benzodiazepines act quickly and wear off faster than similar drugs and have a good amnesic effect (you won’t recall details while under its influence). While relatively safe, they shouldn’t be used with individuals with poor liver function because of their adverse interaction with liver enzymes.
Other drugs or substances are often used in conjunction with IV sedation. Nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) may be introduced initially to help with anxiety over the IV needle stick. Sometimes, pain-reducing drugs like Fentanyl may be added to the IV solution to boost the sedative effect and reduce the primary drug’s amount.
If we recommend IV sedation for your dental treatment, there are some things you should do to help the procedure go smoothly and safely. Because the after-effects of sedation may impair your driving ability, be sure you have someone with you to take you home. Don’t eat or drink anything after midnight the day before your appointment, and consult with both your physician and dentist about taking any prescription medication beforehand. Wear loose, comfortable clothing, and don’t wear contact lenses or oral appliances like dentures or retainers, watches, or other jewelry.
The Dental Anesthesia Center
Our top priority is safety. We follow strict standards and protocols regarding IV sedation, and you’ll be carefully monitored before, during, and after your procedure. Performed with the utmost care, IV sedation could make your next dental procedure pleasant and uneventful and improve your oral health.
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The first two board-certified Dentist Anesthesiologists in the state of Missouri.
