If the idea of setting an appointment with a dentist fills you with dread, then you are not alone. Many people put-off making an appointment with a dentist because of fear. Most people agonize over what could happen to them on the dental chair. Luckily, for those suffering from anxiety and dental phobia, there is a way for them to conquer this feeling of nervousness and fear: sedation dentistry.
Sedation dentistry allows a patient to calm down, and alleviates their anxiety during dental treatments by using sedatives. Choosing a sedation dentist is not as easy as choosing a dress in a shop. Take time to research the best dentist to ensure that you get a high-quality, safe treatment.
The first thing you should do is to prepare a list of dentists who administer sedation as part of their services. You can narrow down the list by selecting the ones who have been referred by either family or friends. Once you have narrowed down the list, schedule a consultation.
During the consultation, ask questions that would give you more information useful in deciding who would be the best candidate. Relevant questions you need to ask that could aid you in your evaluation in choosing the best sedation dentist includes:
1. Ask what training and licenses were acquired to be a sedation dentist. Each level of sedation requires different permits and training so make sure your dentist has the relevant or equivalent training and license to perform the level of sedation offered.
2. Ask how long they have been providing sedation dentistry. Your dentist may have the license to administer sedation but are they experienced enough to administer it. The more experience they have, the more your degree of trust and comfort you will feel.
3. Ask what kind of continuing education your dentist has. Find out how well informed they are with recent techniques and developments in the field of sedation dentistry. They may have the experience and the knowledge but their knowledge could be obsolete. Their ideas and procedure could be old-fashioned, and they may not know that there are better and easier ways to administer the procedure.
4. Ask what level of sedation dentistry they offer. A good sedation dentist should have at least an alternative service they can offer. If they offer just one level, chances are they are not up-to-date with the latest techniques and information on sedation dentistry.
5. Ask what safety measures they have in place in the event something goes wrong. Is there equipment to monitor patients, and well-trained staff who can respond immediately in case of emergencies?
6. A good sedation dentist would always ask for your medical and drug history. They would take the time to evaluate, and recommend the type of sedation level you need based on your medical and drug history.
