Anxiety-Free Dentistry in Fresno
Does the thought of the dentist make you put off appointments for years? At Smith Sedation Dentistry you can get all your dental work done while completely relaxed.
- The only Central Valley practice offering deep sedation with an anesthesiologist
- Years of dental work handled in fewer visits
- Gentle, judgment-free care from Dr. Rob Smith
Prefer to talk? Call 559-340-4141 and ask for Melissa.
Patients Who Were Just As Scared
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Chris A retired police officer. “I’m tough, brave, except when it comes to my teeth.” Transcript
I'm a retired police officer. I'm tough, brave, except when it comes to my teeth. Got into a bad habit of not coming to the dentist. For fear, basically, the general cleaning and everything, but came to a time in my life where I needed to get done and fixed, and when I met Dr. Smith, it was perfect. He makes you feel at ease. No uncomfortableness whatsoever. -
Beth Could not get numb with shots. Had a four-hour root canal before she found sedation. Transcript
Hi, I'm Beth and I'm here at Smith Sedation Dentistry. I am terrified of the dentist. I had one root canal. I am one of those lucky people that when, like, you get the shots, you don't get numb. And so I had my very first root canal. It was like a four-hour process and it was just every 30 minutes a new set of shots. And it was so traumatic. And I said, I'm never again going to go get dental work done without having sedation. And that's when I started searching. I found Dr. Smith and after talking with Melissa on the phone, seeing the website that they had and, like, what they offered, it felt like that light at the end of the tunnel. I was just, like, blown away. I was like, is this really a dentist? Because she was just so personable and she made me feel comfortable before, like, even being concerned about, like, the dental process or anything like that. She wanted to make sure I was good, which was really great because, you know, at the end of the day, we're all people. -
Jennifer Had not been to a dentist in twelve years. Transcript
My name is Jennifer McKean and I have not been to the dentist in 12 years because I had awful, awful experiences with other dentists in my childhood. So after my first initial appointment, we scheduled my sedation appointment because I had a cracked crown. I needed a root canal. They called. I came in, met with the anesthesiologist. Dr. Rob comes in, kind of talked to me about what it was going to look like. And then next thing you know, I was waking up. The staff was so sweet. Will wheeled me out to the car and I was going home. I'm not going to go anywhere else for a really long time. I feel extremely comfortable here. The staff knows me. They're very kind and welcoming. But it's almost, it's not just like you're a patient either. Like they get, they get to know you. And I feel like that's extremely comforting. -
Asleep the whole time “I woke up and I was in my bed.” Transcript
Well, going to the dentist is always nerve-wracking. It's always, you know, is it going to hurt? Is it going to, what are they going to do to me? You know, all the things. Am I going to leave here numb and drool all over everybody? If you're nervous about coming to the dentist or having dental work done, consider sedation. It's well worth it. I would definitely do it again. I had no problems. I was asleep the whole time, completely out. Don't remember it. I woke up and I was in my bed. My wife had come and picked me up and took me home and I was done.
I know that great dentistry can be expensive and that family budgets are tight. My commitment to you is that I will do everything I can to keep my prices low without compromising quality. At Smith Sedation Dentistry you will receive the highest quality, compassionate care at prices that families can afford.
Honesty & Value
Now that he owns his own practice, Dr. Smith continues to enjoy working hard and pursuing the highest level of dental training for himself and his staff. Sedation dentistry is particularly rewarding for Dr. Smith because his father was an anesthesiologist, and he loves that he can bring the highest quality, safest sedation dentistry to Fresno.
- UCLA School of Dentistry, 1999
Graduated Omicron Kappa Upsilon — the highest honors — then bought the practice of retiring dentist Dr. Garth Schmidt in 2001.
- Advanced sedation & implant training
As the technology for sedating dental patients has advanced, Dr. Smith has kept his office and staff at the top of this special service.
- ADA · CDA · Fresno-Madera Dental Society
A sole proprietor, not a corporate practice, who volunteers at the Life Hope Dental Clinic in Fresno.
Before & After, From Dr. Smith’s Own Cases
What Our Patients Are Saying
Three ways to get through it — you pick the one you need
Dr. Smith realizes that there are many different procedures that require many different levels of sedation. Many patients will use one type of sedation for one procedure and a different type for another, which is why we explain everything at the initial visit.
- Level 1
Laughing Gas
This is a mild form of sedation that makes the patient feel as though they had a couple glasses of wine during the procedure. Every operatory is equipped with a simple hookup for nitrous oxide, even the hygiene rooms. After the procedure, there is no lingering after effect — the patient is able to legally drive home, making this a very convenient and popular form of sedation.
- Level 2
Single Pill With Laughing Gas
This is a simple way to allow the patient to get their dental work done in a moderately relaxed state. The patient is given one pill about an hour before the appointment, which will make them mildly relaxed. When they arrive in the office, we will then administer the nitrous oxide. This is a very popular option for cleaning visits or for minor procedures.
- Level 3
IV Sedation with an Anesthesiologist
The patient will usually take a pill about an hour before the procedure to get them into a relaxed state. They come back to the dental chair and they are greeted by warm blankets. The MD anesthesiologist then starts your IV, safely puts you to sleep, and gently wakes you up when the procedure is over. Dr. Smith will call to check on you and make sure your recovery is going as planned.
Dr. Donald Milne, MD
Dr. Milne is a board-certified M.D. anesthesiologist who administers general anesthesia and deep sedation, so the patient is completely asleep for treatment.
An MD anesthesiologist practicing for over 25 years. He did his training in Canada and a fellowship at Stanford. In Fresno, there are only a few dentists who are licensed to perform Intravenous Sedation — the training and licensing required are extensive, so most dentists who advertise “Sedation Dentistry” are only using a pill to mildly sedate or relax people.
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His full focus is on you
Since dentistry is one of the few professions where the dentist is legally allowed to do the surgery and perform the sedation, you may find that the dentist is multitasking in other dental offices. At our office, the anesthesiologist has his full focus on the patient’s sedation and comfort while Dr. Smith is focusing on your dental surgery and treatment.
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You are in much safer hands
A dentist who has taken classes in sedation does not have as much training as an MD anesthesiologist in sedating people. You as the patient are in much safer hands with an anesthesiologist in our office.
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No chance of waking up
A dentist is only legally able to perform “conscious sedation”, which means the patient must be able to respond to verbal commands during the procedure — so patients in those offices will sometimes have memories of the procedure. In our office, with an MD anesthesiologist, deep sedation is given and there is no chance of waking up during the procedure.
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Almost no nausea or sickness
An MD anesthesiologist uses propofol for sedation. Other dentists with conscious sedation permits cannot use this drug and generally use a combination of other drugs that often cause nausea and vomiting after the procedure. Recovery from propofol is much easier for the patient — there is almost no nausea or sickness.
Dr. Smith is one person. 18 more make the visit bearable
It is a very personal relationship between the patient and the hygienist, especially for our patients that do not love going to the dentist.
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Hygienists
7Kathy, Bobette, Aong, Susan, Deyci, Lauren, Kristen
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Dental Assistants
4Maribel, Cindy, Michelle, Irissa
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Extended Functions Assistant
1Yudi
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Front Office & Billing
6Audrie, Angie, Denise, Isabel, Marian, Yesenia