I just learned that my state, California, is changing sedation laws. I’m scheduled to have wisdom teeth removed soon. I’m trying to figure out which is safer, before or after the new laws. I just can’t figure out what the new laws mean and my dentist just keeps telling me not to worry about it. Well, I am worried. So…help!
Shonda R.
Dear Shonda,
I looked up what I think you’re referring to. These are proposed changes to the sedation regulations. If passed, they will begin in 2019. However, the changes mostly affect children. I’m not surprised you had trouble understanding what the proposed changes are. The literature I came across about it was all in “doctorese”.
Sedation dentistry is safe. It sounds like you’ve tried to ask your dentist questions and were getting blown off. By the way, that’s not a good thing. With the best dentists, you can ask as many questions as you need AND expect answers. If your worried, sometimes it helps to have something specific to ask. It pins them down. Tell him (or her) you want to know the safety protocols. There should be someone monitoring your vitals and someone there for emergencies. Those things should be in place even without the changes. If for some reason they aren’t, switch doctors. But, I’d be very surprised if they’re not. These type of requirements are already on the books in most states.
The thing which concerns me about this new legislation is the cost. Not from a doctor’s standpoint but from a patient’s. These new changes don’t realistically have benefits that outweigh the costs. What they will do is increase the expense and make it impossible for many low-income patients to receive the best care. That worries me.
Don’t put off your procedure. If you need wisdom teeth removed, the younger you have it done, the better. Patients who wait to have their wisdom teeth removed tend to have more complications. Having it sooner instead of waiting two years for regulations which won’t do anything except cost you more is in your benefit, both fiscally and medically.
I hope this helps you put your mind at ease.
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