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The ability to provide mild sedation, moderate sedation, deep sedation, or even general anesthesia in an outpatient dental office increases access to care for an increasingly diverse patient population.  While a large portion of the population can still receive routine dental care under only local anesthesia, the growing complexity and length of certain dental procedures may warrant the use of a more sophisticated level of anesthesia and analgesia.  
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The high costs associated with dental care in a hospital operating room precluded the use of advanced techniques in anesthesia for dentistry. Dentist anesthesiologists now bring an unsurpassed level of safe sedation and anesthesia to dental offices at a lower cost.  Dentist anesthesiologists tailor the level of anesthesia specifically to meet the needs of the patient and the dentist.

 

Please contact us for a copy of the fee schedule and detailed instructions for the office manager.

 

For Dental Professionals //

WHY DR. WESTERHAUS?

 

What makes Dr. Westerhaus especially qualified to provide anesthesia in the dental setting is the amount of time he spent in residency providing anesthesia specifically for dental patients in the outpatient setting.  Dr. Westerhaus has additionally treated many patients in the hospital setting for procedures ranging from neurosurgery to orthopedic surgery.  

 

Dr. Westerhaus trained in a hospital setting, but unlike most anesthesiologists, is trained and is comfortable providing anesthesia in an outpatient dental office. Therefore, he understands and is experienced with the unique requirements of this type of anesthesia.  

 

Dr. Westerhaus is proficient in all methods of providing office based dental anesthesia, including Total IntraVenous Anesthesia (TIVA) and inhaled anesthesia using volatile gases.  He is very skilled in nasal intubation and oral intubation as well as open airway techniques. Nasal intubation allows unrestricted access to the mouth for dental procedures.  

 

Dr. Westerhaus also has extensive experience with pediatric patients.  During his training, he saw significantly more pediatric patients for general anesthesia than the average physician anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist did during their training.  

 

Dr. Westerhaus strives for an experience that is stress free, relaxing and reduces anxiety for the dentist and their office staff as well as the patient.  

 

SCHEDULING

 

1)  Please have the patient fill out the appropriate paperwork from the forms tab and fax or email it to us at the above contact number.

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2)  Dr. Westerhaus will review the patient's health history and call the patient. For patients with a complicated medical history, please schedule sufficiently in advance to allow time to consult with the patient's primary or specialist physician. 

 

3) We will contact your office after calling the patient to set up a time to schedule the appointment.  We will try to schedule your patients as soon as possible depending on availability.

PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION SERVICES

 

I am always available to help you and your office in any way I can regarding any type of sedation questions, dental management of patients with medical issues, and office emergency preparedness.

 

I am very blessed to have this training and try to share my unique knowledge with as many other dentists as possible to better benefit their patients. 

BENEFITS

 

The benefits of providing a dentist anesthesiologist to your patients will:

 

  • Increase patient satisfaction.

  • Increase scope of practice.

  • Increased treatment plan acceptance.

  • Increased productivity.

  • Build your practice by increasing the types of patients you can see.

  • Allow you to focus on the dental procedure while the patient is being monitored.

  • Increase the ease of extensive or involved procedures.

  • Patients are better able to afford treatment compared to the hospital setting.

  • A professional relationship with a residency trained dentist anesthesiologist can transform your practice into an advanced full-service dental practice.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Anesthesia fees are billed separately to the patient.  Anesthesia is billed by an initial first hour, followed by 15 minute units of time. Patients can be quoted for anesthesia services by estimating the treatment time in addition to the induction and recovery times. This is typically the dentist's procedure time plus one hour. A deposit for the first hour is required to schedule the appointment.  Please contact Dr. Westerhaus for help in estimating anesthesia fees. 

 

We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express as well as cash.  Payment is due on the day of treatment.

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