After handling over 25,000 pediatric dental anesthesia cases among many other procedures over the past 30+ years it’s safe to say we have our finger on the pulse of what works and doesn’t work, and this post touches on how to find the best pediatric anesthesiologist for your child.
First and foremost, it’s important to understand that nothing in life is created equal and it’s our education, experiences and ultimately success that make us who we are today. A chef that has devoted their life to learning everything possible about Italian food to the point where they live it and breath it will likely create some of the pasta you’ve ever had – because it’s their passion – and the same applies to a construction worker, teacher or in this case anesthesiologist.
As a parent, you have to take anesthesia seriously, especially if there are complicating factors (autism, down syndrome, obesity, etc.) which are critical to discuss and plan for, as well as who you choose to perform such procedures on your kid.
Secondly, when it comes to choosing dentists that will ultimately perform the procedure/surgery and bring in an outside anesthesiologist to take care of that portion, don’t be afraid to ask questions and ensure you’re informed along the way. This includes everything from what exactly is being done from an anesthesia perspective along with the guidelines beforehand (like not eating/drinking X hours before Y procedure) and more.
Lastly, going back to asking questions, we suggest all parents inquire about anesthesia especially when it comes to who’s administering it. Did the dentist take a weekend course on anesthesia so they can perform certain procedures or are they bringing in an expert that specializes in pediatric anesthesia? These are questions you need to ask and get clarity on before allowing someone to put your kid to sleep.
Have questions and need someone to help? Let’s connect.