Oral sedation dentists are the newest and potentially the most desirable type of dentists: they work hard to offer their patients a dental visit free from fear and pain.

Sedation (sleep) dentists are general dentists who have specialized in dental sedation and are licensed to perform oral sedation procedures. These techniques have been developed to manage special patients, young children and people suffering from various mental and psychological conditions.

For any patient, sedation might be considered as a technique that can help them release their anxieties and fearful thoughts about going to the dentist. However, each type of sedation is only appropriate for certain types of dental procedures, and deciding which type of sedation your dentist will give you is something you need to discuss directly with your sedation dentist. Talk to him or her about the possibility of administering oral sedation, and together you can decide whether this procedure is a good fit for you or not.

A sedation dentist is not just another general dentist. The risks associated with various types of sedation require that sedation dentists undergo extra training and education to become specialized in the field. Graduate, pre-doctoral or post-doctoral classes allow dentists to obtain certification to perform dental sedation. Dentists who want to be able to perform general anesthesia must specialize further; if they do not have this certification, then a professional anesthesiologist must be present during the dental procedure.

Sedation dentistry has allowed dental care to be administered to more people and also bridge the gap between psychology and medicine. However, due to certain risks involved with sedation, most state boards of dentistry are actively involved in regulating this field. There may be additional licenses required for a sedation dentist practice to exist. Some state regulations also require that all staff in the office be fully trained to assist with dental sedation procedures.