Pediatric Dental Anesthesia Associates (PDAA)

Pediatric anesthesiologist Dr. Hector Vila (PDAA) and pediatric dentist Dr. Brandon Larkin discuss another
successful Sedation Day in the office

Dr. Brandon Larkin describes how in-office sedation improves patient’s safety and the quality of dental care

Pediatric Dental Anesthesia Associates (PDAA) is a team of board certified physician (MD) anesthesiologists providing sedation services directly and exclusively to pediatric dentists. Having safely served more than 350,000 patients for nearly 2 decades, PDAA serves 700 different pediatric dental offices across 25 states. Recently, during a Sedation Day with longtime partner, pediatric dentist Dr. Brandon Larkin, PDAA’s founding physician anesthesiologist Dr. Hector Vila, and Chief Executive Officer Justin Horne sat down with Dr. Larkin to ask him how in-office sedation has impacted his practice.

Dr. Larkin, can you give us some background on yourself?

I am originally from Flint, Michigan, and completed my undergraduate degree at The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Afterward, I pursued my dental degree at The University of Michigan and then further specialized in pediatric dentistry at Miami Children’s Hospital. My education and training have been instrumental in shaping my approach to pediatric dentistry, focusing on providing the best care for children in a comfortable and friendly environment.

Where is your practice located, and how long have you all been serving your community?

My practice is located in New Port Richey, Florida and I have been serving the community for over 10 years. Over that time, we’ve developed strong relationships with families in the area and established a reputation for being a trusted and compassionate dental provider for children.

What attracted you to a specialty in pediatric dentistry?

From the start of my dental training, I was drawn to the idea of working with children to provide a positive experience with the dentist. Pediatric dentistry allows me to combine my love for working with kids with my passion for dentistry. The opportunity to help children establish healthy oral habits and create a positive experience is incredibly rewarding.

What different behavioral management options do you use regularly in your practice?

We use a variety of behavioral management techniques, depending on the child’s age, temperament, and the procedures being performed. These include positive reinforcement, tell-show-do, distraction techniques, and a sedation option. Our goal is to make sure each child feels safe, comfortable, and at ease during their visit to create a lifetime of good oral health and a positive relationship at the dental office.

How long have you been utilizing an office-based anesthesia option in your practice?

We’ve been offering office-based anesthesia for 10 years. It has not only allowed us to perform more complex procedures in a setting where the child is comfortable but also made the parents’ experience better as well.

What prompted your decision to use an independent anesthesia team as opposed to taking sedation patients to a hospital or ASC?

The decision was based on convenience and patient safety. Using an independent anesthesia team allows us to provide sedation in our office, which is less stressful for the child to be in a familiar environment and more convenient for the families. In this fashion, we can provide the care children need without requiring hospital visits.

Why did you decide to partner with Pediatric Dental Anesthesia Associates (PDAA) for your in-office sedation solutions?

We chose to partner with PDAA because they have an outstanding reputation for safety and professionalism. Their team is highly trained — all of their providers are board-certified physician (MD) anesthesiologists with several years of pediatric training. Their experience and credentials ensure positive outcomes for all our patients.

“PDAA has revolutionized the way we care for our patients. Previously, our options were cumbersome, inefficient, or financially burdensome for our patients. With PDAA, they now receive care from a highly skilled team of professionals within a system that is safe, reliable, efficient, and reflective of our practice’s patient-centered values.”
— Dr. Richard Facko, pediatric dentist, Palos Pediatric Dentistry, Palos Heights, Illinois

How has PDAA changed your practice since you started partnering with them? How have patients and parents responded?

PDAA has greatly improved the safety and efficiency of our practice. Their team ensures that sedation is administered safely and effectively, reducing the stress on both the patient and the parents. Parents have expressed tremendous relief knowing that their child is in the hands of a board-certified pediatric anesthesiologist and in a familiar environment.

Their knowledge and skills have allowed us to treat more patients in a shorter period of time than we otherwise would in a hospital setting. This has helped our patients tremendously since they are not waiting weeks on end in pain or with infections for a hospital operating room to become available.

Having PDAA in my office has also allowed me to pivot away from doing traditional oral sedation.  Their techniques are much more effective for me to treat the patients, and I’m able to execute shorter cases with very efficient turnover, so I can help more patients. Shorter cases also benefit the parents because their financial responsibility is much lower, which only adds to the tremendous value that PDAA provides.  We regularly schedule 10 to 12 patients with PDAA that normally would have been oral sedation cases, and now we have a much safer day that is finished by 1pm.

How do you determine when a patient is an ideal candidate for in-office sedation with PDAA?

An ideal candidate for in-office sedation is typically a younger child who may have anxiety or difficulty remaining still during procedures, or those who need more extensive dental work that cannot be performed under local anesthesia alone. For their safety and best treatment outcomes, those situations are best done under anesthesia. We also consider the child’s medical history and behavioral needs. Many parents who have special needs children have also expressed appreciation for the option to safely care for their child in the comfort of the office.

How does a typical sedation day flow with PDAA?

A typical sedation day with PDAA starts with a pre-sedation consultation to review medical histories and confirm the sedation plan with the parent. The PDAA team administers the anesthesia, ensuring that the child is comfortable and relaxed before any dental work begins. Throughout the procedure, the PDAA team monitors the child’s safety closely, allowing me to focus on the dental procedures. Afterward, the child is monitored until they’re awake and ready to go home with their parents.

How safe and efficient does your dental work feel during the cases with PDAA?

The cases feel incredibly safe and efficient. PDAA provides a level of expertise that allows us to focus on the dental procedures while they handle the sedation process. This partnership ensures that both the patient’s safety and the quality of the dental care are always our top priorities. I’m proud to say we have done thousands of cases over the last decade all with positive outcomes.

Would you recommend Pediatric Dental Anesthesia Associates to your colleagues?

Absolutely! I highly recommend PDAA to my colleagues. Their professionalism, expertise, and commitment to patient safety are exceptional, and they have truly enhanced the quality of care we’re able to offer our young patients. It’s been a game-changer for our practice as we are able to complete twice as many cases in a day than in a traditional hospital setting. This shortens the wait time for our patients so they are not waiting on OR time while in pain or with dental infections.

About PDAA

Pediatric Dental Anesthesia Associates (PDAA) is the nation’s largest pediatric anesthesia practice solely focused on pediatric dental patients. PDAA outfits each Sedation Day with a physician anesthesiologist, all of the essential equipment (monitoring, medications, emergency), 1-2 pediatric nurses for pre-op and recovery, and the necessary liability insurance. Thirty percent of their patient base includes special needs children. There are no narcotic/opioids used, and cases are typically turned over in 10 minutes or less. PDAA’s administrative team facilitates all patient payments, financing options, insurance assistance when applicable, and supports the clinical professionals in medical screening/clearance so pediatrician visits are not necessary. Pediatric dental offices across the country regularly schedule sedation days with PDAA weekly, monthly, quarterly, or as needed depending on their practice needs.

For more information, please visit pediatricsedation.com or contact CEO Justin Horne at 813-480-1857. Be sure to check out their Google Business listing for nearly 3,000 5-star reviews from previous satisfied parents.