Can you take an Uber home after dental sedation? Can a friend just drop you off? Learn who can safely escort you home after dental sedation, and why it matters.
You have scheduled your sedation appointment, arranged the time off, and followed your eating and drinking instructions. Then comes the question that surprises many patients: who is going to take you home?
It sounds like a small detail, but your ride home is a genuine safety requirement, not a suggestion. Patients often ask whether a rideshare counts, whether a neighbor can just drop them off, or whether they can simply wait at the office until they feel normal again.
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.
The dental anesthesia center is hands down the best dental office I have ever been to. I neglected my teeth for years due to severe dental anxiety. I had work done under anesthesia with doctor hoffman who did an amazing job. Doctor Behl is not only a fantastic dentist but one of the nicest people I have ever met. The dental hygienists are both thorough and gentle. Stop your search and just go here
Response from the owner:Thank you for your incredibly kind words! We’re so glad our team could help make your experience comfortable and positive. We truly appreciate your trust and recommendation!
I had a great experience at the Dental Anesthesia Center. The reception area Personnel the Doctor-Dentist and one of his assistants all helped to make sure I was comfortable, informed and ready to get it done! Thank you Dental Anesthesia Center team!! CB
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad our team could help make your experience comfortable and reassuring. We truly appreciate your 5-star review!
Their staff was truly caring and respectful in everything they did. The dentist explained what they found in the initial tests, asked us questions about our 82 year old sister, then explained the options that would give the best results.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your thoughtful feedback. We’re grateful for the opportunity to provide compassionate care and appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
My hygienist, DeLaina Joost, takes excellent care of my teeth with her advanced skills, gentle touch and great “chair side” manner. She is a consummate professional, and such a compassionate person. I look forward to my visits at DAC!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad to hear you had a positive experience with our team and appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback.
Devon’s has received his dental services here for several years. The staff are always pleasant. Dr. Hoffman unmatched. His bedside manner is always welcoming. Devon receives amazing care and support based on his assessed needs. Feedback and instruction is clear and detailed. Follow-up is greatly appreciated. I appreciate their acceptance of differences and assurance that Devon will be taken care of.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and continued trust in our team! We’re grateful to be part of Devon’s care and truly appreciate your thoughtful feedback.
Best Dentists in St. Louis. Really a great dental experience. I have used this office for regular dental care, cavities, crowns, and cosmetic dentistry. Teeth look great.
Response from the owner:Christopher we apologize for the belated response. We are very pleased to hear you have a great dental experience with our office! Thank you for your kind words. We look forward to seeing you at your next dental appointment!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much! We truly appreciate the amazing review! ⭐️
Why You Cannot Drive Yourself
Sedation and general anesthesia affect your judgment, reflexes, coordination, and memory for many hours after your appointment, often well after you feel “fine.” That last part is the trap. The medications used in dentistry can leave you feeling clear-headed while your reaction time and decision-making are still significantly impaired. Patients also commonly experience memory gaps in the hours after sedation, which means you may not accurately remember instructions, conversations, or even parts of the trip home.
Driving in that state is comparable to driving while intoxicated, and it puts you and everyone else on the road at risk. This is why practices that provide sedation require a ride home, and it is why the requirement typically applies to the entire day, not just the first hour or two.
If you receive only nitrous oxide (laughing gas) with no other sedative, the situation is often different, since its effects wear off within minutes. Your care team will tell you ahead of time whether your specific plan allows you to drive afterward. When in doubt, plan for a ride.
The Key Word Is Escort, Not Just Driver
Here is the part many patients miss: you do not simply need transportation. You need a responsible adult escort, someone who accompanies you home and can stay with you while the medication wears off. A responsible adult escort is generally someone who:
Is an adult you know and trust, such as a family member, close friend, or caregiver.
Comes into the office with you or picks you up in person, rather than waiting at the curb.
Receives your aftercare instructions. Because sedation affects memory, your escort is the one who will actually remember what the team said about eating, medications, and activity.
Takes you directly home and stays nearby, helping you settle in safely, watching for any concerns, and keeping you from doing things you should not do, like driving, cooking, signing documents, or caring for others on your own.
Common Questions About the Ride Home
On your own, no. A rideshare driver is a stranger with no responsibility for your well-being, no knowledge of your aftercare instructions, and no obligation to make sure you get inside safely. However, a rideshare can work if your responsible adult escort rides with you. The car matters less than the person in it.
Being deposited at your front door is not the same as being cared for. You should have someone with you for the remainder of the day after deeper sedation or general anesthesia. If you live alone, this is worth planning ahead: ask a friend or family member to spend the day, or arrange to recover at their home.
No. Public transit alone involves navigation, balance, transfers, and judgment, all of which are affected by sedation.
Your escort should be a licensed adult driver who can take responsibility for you. A capable adult child with a full license may be appropriate; a newly licensed teen managing a groggy parent is a lot to ask.
Call the office as soon as you know. Appointments involving sedation generally cannot proceed without a confirmed escort, so it is far better to reschedule than to arrive without one.
Planning Ahead Makes It Easy
The escort requirement catches people off guard, but with a little planning it becomes a non-issue. When you schedule, think through who in your life can commit to the full window: dropping you off or accompanying you, being reachable during the appointment, and staying with you afterward. For caregivers bringing a loved one with special needs, the same person who manages the appointment usually fills this role naturally.
At The Dental Anesthesia Center, our team reviews all of this with you before your visit, including eating and drinking instructions and exactly what your escort needs to know, so there are no surprises on the day of treatment.
Contact The Dental Anesthesia Center Today
Have questions about preparing for a sedation or general anesthesia appointment, for yourself or someone you care for? Call The Dental Anesthesia Center in St. Louis at (314) 862-7844 or request a consultation online. We are happy to walk you through every step, including the ride home.
