Dentist Feels Sedation Dentistry Helps Many Patients

Three out of four dentists surveyed offer sedation dentistry.

“Sedation dentistry helps so many people. Most stop using it after three visits or so due to a significant lessening of their anxiety,” responded one prosthodontist to the latest The Wealthy Dentist survey that asked dentists if they offer dental sedation.

“Sedation is not the be-all, end-all,” advised one dentist.

The respondents to this survey reflected the following charges for sedation services —

• Oral Conscious Sedation $300
• IV Sedation $450
• Nitrous Oxide $80
• Pediatric Sedation $300

The lowest cost of conscious sedation dentistry was $70, and the highest charge was $680. The cost of IV sedation ranged from $225 up to $1,200.

Here are some comments from dentists who responded to this survey —

“It is great combination with CEREC users. One appointment dentistry while sedated.” (General dentist)

“There is a strong pain-in-the-butt factor associated with this service. Don’t get sucked into it.” (Massachusetts dentist)

“I’ve been sedating for 30 years.” (California dentist)

“I am a dentist anesthesiologist. I charge an hourly fee. I am perfectly fine with my client doctors doing oral sedation with proper training. I think it is important that they have someone like me to check with if they have a question or concern.” (Washington dentist anesthesiologist)

“Having well-trained providers of dental sedation is a key to our success as a profession. As long as there are dentists who believe in papoosing, there will be those who have fears. Funny, an ENT would never papoose a child for ear tubes. Why do we think it’s acceptable for dental treatment?” (Pediatric dentist)

If you are a doctor who offers sedation dentistry to your patients, it’s important to market this fact to potential patients. It can help bring new patients into your dental practice.