Expert care for a stress-free smile.

While the depth and quality of anesthesia are identical to those provided in a hospital, office-based anesthesia offers several unique advantages for both patients and caregivers:

Firstly, treatment takes place in the familiar and comfortable setting of your dental office. Secondly, overall costs are significantly reduced — in fact, more than half of hospital anesthesia expenses typically come from high facility fees that are avoided with office-based anesthesia. In addition, procedures are often completed more efficiently, allowing for shorter anesthesia times and quicker recovery. Patients are able to return home shortly after their procedure.

Yes. When anesthesia is delivered in a properly permitted, accredited dental office by a qualified anesthesia team using the same monitors, medications, and protocols as a hospital, it is as safe as anesthesia in a hospital operating room. Multiple reviews and large datasets show comparable safety for accredited office settings and ambulatory surgery centers/hospitals when appropriate standards and patient selection are followed.

What makes it just as safe as the hospital?

Same standards & monitoring. We use hospital-grade monitoring (continuous pulse oximetry, capnography, ECG, blood pressure, ventilation assessment) and adhere to national guidelines for office-based anesthesia.

Qualified team & emergency readiness. Trained anesthesia professionals, team-based drills, and emergency equipment mirror hospital practices.

For most children, anesthesia is very safe—especially when delivered by a pediatric-trained anesthesia team with hospital-grade monitoring. Large human studies show that short exposures to general anesthesia in infancy/early childhood is not linked to worse thinking, language, or behavior outcomes. This includes the PANDA sibling study, the randomized GAS trial, and the population-based MASK study.

What we do to keep your child safe

Review your child’s medical history and tailor an individualized plan.

Use the same monitoring and safety standards as hospitals.

Coordinate care to minimize the number and duration of anesthetics (e.g., combining needed procedures when appropriate).

Use proven, kid-friendly techniques that support smooth wake-ups and quick recovery. Guidance from pediatric dental and medical societies aligns with these safety practices.

Every medical procedure carries some level of risk, and anesthesia is no exception. However, when administered by a qualified dental anesthesiologist, anesthesia is extremely safe. Before your procedure, we take time to thoroughly review your medical history, medications, and any health concerns to create a personalized plan focused on your safety and comfort.

Most patients experience only mild and temporary side effects such as drowsiness, nausea, or a sore throat. Serious complications are exceptionally rare, and our team is highly trained to prevent, recognize, and manage them immediately should they occur.

We use the same monitoring equipment and safety standards found in hospitals, ensuring your care meets the highest level of safety from start to finish. Our goal is to make your experience as safe, smooth, and stress-free as possible.

Like any medical procedure, it is important to weight risks and benefits. Risks of not proceeding with dental treatment can lead to serious problems, such as pain, infection, and difficulty eating, which in children, can contribute to growth and developmental delays.

Our anesthesiologists are experienced in caring for patients who require specialized attention due to medical, developmental, or behavioral conditions. We are equipped to treat individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities, complex medical backgrounds, or those who have experienced challenges during previous dental or medical procedures.

Eating or Drinking

For anesthesia it is extremely important that patients have an empty stomach, and the following instructions must be followed.

For children 5 years of age and older:

- No solid foods for eight (8) hours prior to appointment.

- Water or apple juice ONLY may be taken up to three (3) hours prior to appointment.

- Nothing may be taken for three (3) hours prior to appointment.

For children under the age of 5:

- No solid foods for eight (8) hours prior to appointment.

- Water or apple juice ONLY may be taken up to three (3) hours prior to appointment.

- Breast milk ONLY may be taken up to four (4) hours prior to appointment.

- Nothing may be taken for three (3) hours prior to appointment.


Prescription medications should be taken as scheduled unless previously discussed with us and may be taken only with a sip of water.

Clothing

Please wear a short sleeve, loose shirt. Children should bring a light blanket. For children who do not wear a diaper or pull up, a change of clothes should be available. Do not wear makeup, nail polish, false eyelashes, or contact lenses.

Change in Health and Medications

A change in health, especially the development of a cold or fever, is extremely important. Please notify us if there is any change in your health.

Designated Driver

A responsible adult must accompany any patient to the office and remain during the procedures. Do not plan on driving or making decisions for twenty-four (24) hours after the anesthesia. Arrange to have a responsible adult to spend the rest of the day with you. Children should be in a car seat.

Questions

Prior to your appointment, one of our anesthesiologists will contact you to review preoperative instructions and to answer any questions. If you would like to discuss your anesthetic before this appointment, you may call contact us.

Diet

Limit oral intake to liquids for the first few hours. If teeth were extracted, do not use a straw. Initially, limit intake to clear liquids such as water, apple juice, or Gatorade. Once clear liquids are tolerated, slowly allow the patient to try soft foods. Suggestions include apple sauce, yogurt, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, and soups.If your child is not hungry, do not force him/her to eat but encourage as much liquid for the next twenty-four (24) hours.

Activity

Do not drive or engage in moderate to high physical activity for 24 hours or until the effects of the anesthetic have subsided completely. Judgment may be impaired during this time as well so do not allow your child to swim, bike ride, or playing with other children.

Pain or Fever

Muscle aches and a sore throat may occur similar to the flu. It is very common after general anesthesia and will usually disappear within 24 hours. Acetaminophen is usually very effective and should be taken at the first sign of pain, if normally tolerated . For children a fever of up to 101 degrees Fahrenheit may develop for the first 12 hours. Acetaminophen every 3 to 4 hours with plenty of liquids will tend to alleviate this condition as well as treat any post-operative discomfort. Avoid ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) for 6 hours after anesthesia due to similar medications that may have been given during the anesthesia.