Dentist Search: Unusual Anesthesia Equipment Edition
June 8, 2016 11:29 AM Subscribe
We need a dentist in the Portland, OR area who has specialized anesthesia equipment and is covered by our insurance. How do we look for one?
My partner is usually resistant to local anesthetic - even with a strong dose, she can feel the procedure. One of her previous dentists in a different state had success using something called "The Wand" or "Compudent STA." We think the anesthetic resistance is related to Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (also called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome), so intraosseous anesthetic delivery systems like Stabident or X-tip may work as well.
Her insurance provider (Moda/ODS) isn't helpful - they suggested calling all of the dentists on a list of 100+ covered offices in the region. I'm working on that, but usually I get a receptionist who may not know anything about the office's anesthesia equipment.
What is a better way to do this?
My partner is usually resistant to local anesthetic - even with a strong dose, she can feel the procedure. One of her previous dentists in a different state had success using something called "The Wand" or "Compudent STA." We think the anesthetic resistance is related to Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (also called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome), so intraosseous anesthetic delivery systems like Stabident or X-tip may work as well.
Her insurance provider (Moda/ODS) isn't helpful - they suggested calling all of the dentists on a list of 100+ covered offices in the region. I'm working on that, but usually I get a receptionist who may not know anything about the office's anesthesia equipment.
What is a better way to do this?
Also, try calling at night to leave a message, after which you sit back and wait for the callbacks. Follow up in a week with those who didn't call back.
posted by rhizome at 5:39 PM on June 8, 2016
posted by rhizome at 5:39 PM on June 8, 2016
Those devices still just deliver local anesthetic to the same area that a traditional aspirating syringe does, just in a slow and measured way, so it is within the realm of possibility that the provider who used one simply had good technique, or used one of the more modern formulations of local that can be more effective.
I agree with Rob Rockets, it might be easier to start a search with the device manufacturer and work downstream from there.
An office with a good staff will know exactly whether or not the doc uses the Wand, so you might also use that as a filter if you have to go office by office.
posted by OHenryPacey at 8:02 AM on June 9, 2016
I agree with Rob Rockets, it might be easier to start a search with the device manufacturer and work downstream from there.
An office with a good staff will know exactly whether or not the doc uses the Wand, so you might also use that as a filter if you have to go office by office.
posted by OHenryPacey at 8:02 AM on June 9, 2016
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posted by Rob Rockets at 11:34 AM on June 8, 2016 [5 favorites]