Pediatric anesthesia · St. Louis
Pediatric Anesthesia in St. Louis
If your child has trouble visiting the dentist because of severe anxiety or special needs, or if they require major dental work, dental anesthesia may be the right choice. The Dental Anesthesia Center provides complete dental care for children under sedation or general anesthesia in our Clayton office.
Our doctors are dentist anesthesiologists, trained to care for children and infants safely, whether in the dental chair or the operating room. Pediatric care is part of our broader special needs dentistry practice.
Safety standards
Two trained providers in the room, every time
Anesthesia and children is a serious subject, and it is governed by clear professional guidelines. Our practice is built around them.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry publish joint guidelines for deep sedation and general anesthesia in children. The guidelines call for two people in the room, each trained to provide full life support in an emergency: the dentist or oral surgeon performing the procedure, and an independent observer whose only job is to monitor the child.
That is exactly how our office works. During your child’s procedure, a dedicated provider continuously monitors heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels while the dentist focuses on treatment.
Levels of sedation
Understanding the levels of sedation
The dentist will recommend the level of sedation that fits your child and the procedure. Understanding each option helps you, as a parent, feel more in control.
Mild sedation
Your child remains awake and relaxed throughout the procedure. The lightest option we offer, typically nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or a mild oral medication.
Moderate sedation
Your child becomes drowsy and deeply relaxed, though not fully asleep, often with little memory of the visit afterward.
Deep sedation and general anesthesia
Your child sleeps through the entire procedure with no memory of it afterward, while an independent observer continuously monitors heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen.
The right option depends on your child’s needs, medical history, and the treatment planned, including extensive treatment plans completed in a single visit. We review the choice together before any care begins. Read more about our sedation dentistry and sleep dentistry options.
Your first appointment
Making your child’s first appointment
Whether your child struggles with severe anxiety or special needs, or needs a major dental procedure, pediatric anesthesia can help.
At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we have been practicing sleep and sedation dentistry for more than 30 years. We know how important your child’s safety and comfort are during their procedure, and every visit is built around both.
Parents and caregivers are welcome to call with questions at any point, before or after the visit. Our team is glad to walk you through what to expect.
Academic partnerships
Where other dentists come to learn.
Our doctors train other doctors. Residents in graduate periodontics and dental anesthesiology rotate through our Clayton office to learn sedation and anesthesia care.
Residency rotation
Saint Louis University
Center for Advanced Dental Education
Graduate periodontics residents from SLU rotate through our office for a month of hands-on sedation training with our doctors.
Residency program
University of Pittsburgh
School of Dental Medicine
We partner with the University of Pittsburgh’s Dental Anesthesiology Residency Program, helping train the next generation of dentist anesthesiologists.
Questions answered
Frequently asked questions
Common questions from parents and caregivers. If yours is not here, call us. We are happy to talk it through.
Is dental anesthesia safe for children?
Pediatric dental anesthesia follows strict joint guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Two trained providers are in the room for every deep sedation or general anesthesia procedure: the dentist performing treatment and an independent observer who continuously monitors your child’s heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen.
Will my child remember the procedure?
With deep sedation or general anesthesia, children sleep through the procedure and typically have no memory of it afterward. With milder levels, your child stays awake but relaxed. We recommend the level that fits your child and the treatment planned.
What ages do you treat?
Our dentist anesthesiologists are trained to care for children of all ages, including infants and toddlers. Care is planned around each child’s age, medical history, and individual needs.
Schedule a visit for your child
Whether your child needs routine care under sedation or a complex procedure, our team is here to help. We are happy to discuss insurance and financing options for your child’s care.