Set apart

What sets you apart from other anesthesia providers?

I have no doubt that many of my colleagues in the arena of dental anesthesia are very competent and safe providers of anesthesia. Nevertheless, I believe some of the following may set me apart “from the pack” per se.

I am a physician anesthesiologist, not a dental anesthesiologist. The distinction has to do with the training background and extent of training. Physician (MD) anesthesiologists are medical doctors who have at minimum done four years of medical school and four years of residency training in medical anesthesiology. That training includes taking care of patients with the most severe medical problems undergoing the most major surgeries (e.g. open heart surgery, brain tumor removal, liver transplants, etc.). In contrast, dental (DDS/DMD) anesthesiologists are dentists who completed dental school and a two-year residency in dental anesthesia. As excellent as this latter training no doubt is, it really is entirely different in depth, breadth, duration, acuity, and medical intensity than residency training in medical anesthesiology.

Similarly, I still regularly take care of patients in the medical setting–patients having all types of surgeries, not just dental procedures. Because of that, I am fully comfortable with the full range of health profiles and am well prepared to adapt and respond to any situations that may suddenly arise.

Perhaps an analogy would help: If you are learning algebra, would you prefer a math teacher who has never learned anything beyond algebra? Or would you prefer one who has learned not only algebra but also more advanced math (e.g. trigonometry, multivariable calculus, differential equations, etc.)?

Another distinction between myself and many other providers of dental anesthesia has to do with technique. Because of my approach to anesthesia, within 30-45 minutes after the end of the dental procedure, almost 100% of my patients are “back to normal,” fully recovered from anesthesia, and able to eat and drink. In contrast, the most common technique used by most dental anesthesia providers typically leaves your child groggy and compromised for the entire day.

I myself am also a father of four young children, so I can relate to and empathize with the legitimate concerns parents have when their children need to undergo anesthesia. As your child’s anesthesiologist, I will always care for him or her as if my own.