I.V. Sedation/General Anesthesia
General anesthesia is given through an IV or a mask with careful monitoring of vital signs. The majority of patients do not remember anything about the procedure.
Services offered:Pre-operative assessment |
Patients who benefit:Children |
While no procedure is totally risk free, having anesthesia in a doctor’s office is as safe as having it in an outpatient surgical center or hospital. The advantages of office-based anesthesia are:
- Work completed in a familiar surrounding
- Cost is considerably less
We work with a wonderful anesthesiologist who comes on-site while we perform your dental treatment.
Dee Isackson, DDS, MD, PS
Dr. Dee Isackson was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. She finished a DDS degree at the University of Washington, School of Dentistry in 1980, and practiced dentistry in Seattle for five years. She finished a medical degree at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska in 1990. She then completed her medical anesthesia residency at University of Iowa’s Hospitals and Clinics in 1994. She was Medical Director of Anesthesia at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte, Nebraska in 1996 prior to relocating back to Seattle.
Dr. Isackson is dedicated and meticulous about patient care and safety.
Dr. Isackson is a licensed dentist, medical doctor and anesthesiologist in the state of Washington. She will be in the room during the entire procedure, carefully giving full attention to the safety and comfort of the patient. Blood pressure, pulse, heart tracing, blood oxygen level, and level of consciousness will be monitored. Dr. Isackson has all emergency equipment and training needed to handle any rare, but possible, reaction or complications to the anesthesia.
Upon completion of the dental work, you will be in short recovery status. Monitoring of blood pressure, pulse and breathing will be continued. Post-op instructions will be provided both verbally and written, to your accompanying adult to care for you at home following the procedure.
Billing and Insurance
Dr. Isackson has a separate billing office than our office. Her office staff will bill the insurance company and you for balances owed.
Once Dr. Isackson’s office is provided with general information about the dental case they will contact your insurance coverage. After obtaining insurance coverage information. Dr. Isackson’s office staff will contact you. They will obtain general health information, discuss estimated charges and balance, as well as answer any question about general anesthesia.
General anesthesia is charged by time, therefore only an estimated cost can be provided ahead of the procedure. We estimate the time it will take to do the procedure. Then forward that information to Dr. Isackson who can then estimate your total time needed. Dr. Isackson’s office requires all uninsured balances be paid on the day of service.
You must make appointment cancellations 48 hours in advance. If not cancelled, Dr. Isackson may charge a no show fee of $35 per half-hour of reserved time.
What kind of anesthesia can I get?
Most patients do very well with intravenous sedation. You may have heard terms like “conscious sedation” or “twilight sleep”. These all refer to the same thing, which involves sedatives given through an IV with careful monitoring of vital signs. You can be given as much or as little sedation as you need, and most patients don’t remember anything about the procedure afterwards.
For some procedures, a full general anesthetic may be needed, and this can also be given in your doctor’s office.
How closely am I watched during the anesthesia?
Your anesthesiologist will be in the room with you during the whole procedure, carefully giving full attention to your safety and comfort. Your blood pressure, pulse, heart tracing, and blood oxygen level will be watched.
What if something unexpected happens?
Your anesthesiologist has all the emergency equipment and training needed to handle any rare but possible reaction to the anesthesia.
Is it safe?
Your anesthesiologist is well trained and equipped to handle emergencies. While no procedure is totally risk free, having anesthesia in a doctor’s office is as safe as having it in an outpatient surgical center.
Why have treatment in an office as opposed to a hospital or surgicenter?
With this service you can have the procedure done in the familiar surroundings of your doctor’s office, and you will avoid additional operating room charges.
What about children?
Children can receive anesthesia in the office as well. Your anesthesiologist is well trained in treating your children and can take care of them as safely as adults.
Will it make me nauseous?
Nausea is always possible with anesthesia, but with the newer sedative available, it is far less likely than in the past. In addition, your anesthesiologist has medications available to treat nausea if it should occur.
Are the any special rules for getting anesthesia?
You need to avoid eating or drinking anything for at least six hours before your procedure. You will need to have someone drive you home, since you will not driving after receiving the anesthetic. Your anesthesiologist will tell you if there are any other things to consider because of your individual state of health.
