American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists Information

The American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists (ASDA) comprises dentists who have completed a minimum two years of full-time postdoctoral training in dental anesthesiology. Our clinical training includes a significant portion devoted to hospital operating room anesthesiology rotations as well as ambulatory anesthesia for dental patients. These and other clinical experiences, such as emergency medicine, cardiology, and acute and chronic pain management, are complemented by didactic lectures and seminars to develop highly competent practitioners who can carefully evaluate a dental patient to determine and deliver the appropriate sedation or general anesthetic that is needed, and safely manage complications that may arise. Most dentist anesthesiologists limit their practice to providing anesthesia services for other dentists who perform the necessary dental care. The dentist anesthesiologist who works in a single office or in the offices of other dentists provides all the necessary equipment, medications, and sophisticated monitors to ensure an unsurpassed margin of safety in the care of the ambulatory dental patient. The dentist anesthesiologist provides a safe, relaxed atmosphere for the patient and the operating dentist and decreases the likelihood that the dentist will have to tell the patient (or parent), "I'm sorry, but we are just not equipped to handle a patient with your (child's) special needs." Dentist anesthesiologists are also involved in: (1) teaching pain and anxiety control in dental schools to dental students and residents in various specialty programs; (2) providing continuing education courses in minimal and moderate sedation, pharmacology, and medical emergencies; (3) managing complex chronic pain conditions of the head and neck region; and (4) conducting research related to anesthesiology in dentistry.