Frequently Asked Questions
QUESTION: Where do I find the best bite-block, sponge, retraction systems?
Go to LINKS
QUESTION: How do I verify that a provider has a curent General Anesthesia Permit? HERE
QUESTION: What does it cost the patient?
ANSWER: Flat rate of between $400-500/hr at 15 minute increments depending upon location.
Unlike many other providers, we have:
- NO Set-up, Front Loaded Charges
- NO Pharmacy/Equipment/Oxygen Charges
- NO Minimum Charges (South Orange County)
- NO Travel Charges
We match any reasonable percent discount you offer your patient
We Accept cash, checks, VISA, MC, Amex Discovery and Care Credit cards.
QUESTION: How do I schedule with your office?
ANSWER: Download PDF Information Here
QUESTION:
I have heard that some anesthesia providers pass on a percentage of the charge to the dentist. Will you do that?
ANSWER:
No. That is a "kick-back" and is illegal unless you receive a W2 or 1099 from the anesthesiologist at the end of the year and you can show that the amount received was "reasonable" under Business and Professions Code 650b. It is considered unethical conduct by CDA. In other words, if you are asking $100/hr from the anesthesiologist you must be able to document that he consumed $100 per hour of supplies and staff time. While I think it is reasonable for the surgeon to charge extra when they travel to the hospital to do cases, many consider it unethical to charge when the anesthesia is in their own office. One of my surgeons actually gives his patients a 5% discount whenI deliver anesthesia because he feels he saves him at least that much.
QUESTION:
Anything special I or my assistant should know?
ANSWER:
Working under anesthesia should seem easier and less stressful than "normal" cases. I do have some suggestions that have helped others over the last 30 years that you can download. I also require the operating dentist to follow basic ethical guidelines found in Frequent Questions Patients Ask.
QUESTION:
The last physicians I worked with left on short notice as soon as they finally obtained a contract at a surgicenter or hospital.. Will this happen with Dr. Davies?
ANSWER:
If you have worked with one of the new physician anesthesiologists only to have them quit suddenly when they finally found a job in the hospital or surgicenter, rest assured this will not happen with Dr. Davies. He has pioneered the field and is committed to dentistry and helping your patients. You can count on his many years of experience and loyalty to dentistry and his perfect safety record.
QUESTION:
I've been told by physician anesthesiologists that because they are MDs they don't need to consult with the patient's primary or specialty care physicians which will save time in scheduling.
ANSWER:
Hospital based anesthesiologists are appalled by this attitude. Anesthesiologists are not the patient's primary care physician, nor do they have the training of other specialists. In the hospital it is up to the anesthesiologist to consult with all of the patient's providers and come up with a safe anesthetic plan. They are not expected nor trained to act as cardiologists or internests. They provide no "treatment shortcut" over medically trained dentist anesthesiologists.
QUESTION:
Is it a violation of OSHA to administer inhalation general anesthetics in the dental office?
ANSWER:
When I asked one rare office provider of intubated general anesthesia how he handles the OSHA regulations he said "That's the dentist's problem". While intubated general anesthesia is appropriate for the very young and intellectually challenged, most believe that it is an unnecessary risk for the average dental patient and office staff.
This is What OSHA has to say on their website:
“At any given time more than 250,000 people who work in hospitals, operating rooms, dental offices and veterinary clinics, might be exposed unnecessarily to harmful levels of waste anesthetic gases. “
“Exposure to waste anesthetic gases can cause serious injury and permanent damage."
“effects of exposure to waste anesthetic gases are nausea, dizziness, headaches, fatigue, and irritability, as well as sterility, miscarriages, birth defects, cancder, and liver and kidney disease among operating room staff or their spouses (in the case of miscarriages and birth defects). “
The employer has a duty to protect his staff from anesthetic waste gases under Title 8, Section 3032.
It is extremely expensive to retrofit a dental office to Surgi-Center or hospital standards as to anesthetic waste gases and few if any dentists are aware of this danger to their staff, themselves and their spouses. For these reasons, although an expert in the technique, I will not use an anesthetic technique with potent gases in the office setting.
