Sedation Dentistry: Taking the Fear Out of Dental Work

Dental work doesn’t have to be painful or scary. With sedation dentistry, you can be relaxed and worry-free at the dentist’s office.

If this is the first time you’re hearing about sedation, it may be because only a small percentage of dentists have advanced training in dental sedation. I think it’s important to share this option with my patients. I’ve seen how dental sedation has absolutely changed the lives of people who desperately needed dental care but were too afraid to have the work done.

I personally understand about dental fears, due to my own childhood experience. When I was 12 years old, I had a really, really bad experience at the dentist. The short version is that I had skipped Sunday school to play football and I chipped 4 teeth. My father, the son of a Baptist preacher, told our family dentist that no anesthetic was needed for a Sunday school truant!

For several years after my painful dental experience, I refused to go to the dentist. When it was time to go, I would find excuses: high school wrestling practice, baseball practice, and convenient forgetfulness. If I had a toothache, you can be sure I never told anyone.

It took a very kind dentist, Dr. Harold Hombs, to restore my faith and trust. My dental career has been dedicated to emulating Dr. Hombs’ kindness and making a difference in people’s lives.

Since I began practicing dentistry, I have seen this pattern repeated over and over again. I see patients all the time with unattractive or missing teeth who hide their dental problems from coworkers and family by not smiling—ever. That’s a terrible price to pay!

Many of my patients opt for dental sedation in order to have a relaxed and anxiety-free relationship with dental work. With sedation dentistry, you don’t have to give up your smile anymore.