It’s incredibly important for parents to report a detailed health history of the child to the dentist. This way, the dentist can propose the type of sedation that’s best suited for the child.
I want to thank everyone at the Dental Anesthesia Center for taking care of me yesterday—Meaghan helped me get the forms filled out correctly and in on time, Daisy for guiding me in and getting me out safely, Dr. Hoffman for taking care of my teeth and dealing with my really terrible gag reflex, and EVERYONE who helps make this happen. I don't know all of your names, but I do know that it takes all of you working together to make my dental care possible and have good results.
I'm always nervous when I first arrive, even though every procedure has had a good outcome. I've never had any pain or excessive bleeding as a result. The one thing I realized yesterday is that all of you are warm, friendly, positive, you have what is called a good vibe, which helps me a great deal.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience. We’re so glad our team could help you feel comfortable and supported throughout your visit. Providing a safe, positive environment is very important to us, and your feedback means a great deal. We truly appreciate your trust in our care!
Dr. Thoms and his entire staff at The Dental Anesthesia Center have been absolutely wonderful!! They're all so kind and knowledgeable. I would give them 10 stars if I could!!!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It means a lot to hear this feedback.
Dr Mike Hoffman is the best dentist I’ve ever been to. His whole practice focuses on the patient’s needs. He is the consumate professional with expertise across the dental spectrum and in anesthesia. I highly recommend him and his practice.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your thoughtful review and recommendation! We’re grateful for your kind words and are proud to provide patient-centered care with a focus on comfort and safety.
Yes, my grandson has nonverbal autism and they took very good care of him.. He had to have some extra extractions which I was concerned about, but everything went very well. Very happy and I thank you all for all the work you did.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words. We’re so glad to hear you had a positive experience and that everything went smoothly. We truly appreciate your trust in us.
I took my son to an appointment today with Dr. Hoffman. We had a great experience from the time we arrived until we departed. The receptionist was very friendly and helpful. The dental assistants were very helpful and polite with my son. The doctor is very kind and patient. They explain everything as we went through the process. We were aware of the cost from the beginning to the end and we're allowed to make decisions about how to handle my child's care and not shocked with additional charges after the fact. My child does not resist going to this office. Great experience.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad to hear your experience was positive from start to finish. Our team works hard to create a comfortable, transparent, and supportive environment for every patient and family. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback!
If you have a child in need of some dental work, then the question of laughing gas or sedation may be brought up by your dentist. The goal here is to ensure your child is getting the safest and best treatment.
There are actually many different types of sedation available for such procedures when the patient is a child.
Types of Sedation and Anesthesia Used for Children
There are usually 4 types of sedation here:
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is the least invasive and considered a mild sedative. Children breathe this with a bit of oxygen, and while they remain awake during the procedure, they will be more relaxed.
Mild to moderate sedation – the child is given a certain medication (or a combination of). This is usually common in older children. The effects are a calm and awake child who can still respond and do what the dentist says.
Deep sedation – this is done through an IV, and the child will sleep throughout the entire procedure. In this case, there will be another independent observer in the room to monitor the child until the procedure is done, and they can wake up.
General anesthesia – here, the child is completely asleep. The procedure is only done by those trained to use anesthesia, and like in the case of deep sedation, the child is monitored by an independent observer.
How Safe Are These Options?
Laughing gas is, by far, one of the safest options when it comes to sedation. But even this isn’t without its potential side effects such as:
Nausea
Vomiting
Dizziness
Fatigue
These are generally short-term effects that go away once the sedative wears off.
However, there may be procedures in which the child must remain completely still, in which case neither laughing gas nor mild/moderate sedation would be enough.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry provides stringent guidelines for dentists and oral surgeons to follow in the case of deep sedation or general anesthesia. This is why deep sedation and general anesthesia require another person in the room to monitor the child throughout the entire procedure.
Every type of anesthesia comes with certain risks and side effects, which is why it’s incredibly important for parents to report a detailed health history of the child to the dentist. This way, the dentist can propose the type of sedation that’s best suited for the child.
St. Louis Sedation Dentistry
When you come in for your appointment Dr. Hoffmann, Dr. Thoms, or Dr. Behl will decide which level is best for your child. We look forward to meeting you. Call us at (314) 862-7844, and one of our friendly team members will be happy to speak with you.
Call Us Today
The first two board-certified Dentist Anesthesiologists in the state of Missouri.
