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Who We Are

The American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists (ASDA) is composed of dentists who specialize in sedation and general anesthesia for dental, oral, and maxillofacial surgery. Our specialty requires three years of full-time, accredited postdoctoral training after becoming dentists.

We provide general anesthesia and sedation for a wide variety of dental patients, including very young children who cannot cooperate, children who need extensive work (such as those with cavities or abscesses on multiple teeth), adults who are fearful of dental work, people with physical or mental challenges that make it difficult to accept treatment, those for whom local anesthesia doesn’t work well, people who want to have all their dental work done at one time, and many others.

Our Mission

The American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists (ASDA) is dedicated to advancing the specialty of anesthesia in dentistry by promoting the highest standards of patient safety, education, and clinical practice. We advocate for access to safe anesthesia services and support our members through professional development, collaboration, and leadership.

Core Values

Professional Integrity: Upholding ethical standards, accountability, and excellence in all professional endeavors.

Patient Safety: Prioritizing the highest level of safety and quality of care for all patients.

Adaptability: Embracing innovation and change to meet the evolving needs of the specialty.

Lifelong Learning: Fostering continuous education and professional growth.

Advocacy for the Specialty: Promoting recognition, support, and advancement of dental anesthesiology.

History

General anesthesia was discovered by two dentists in the 19th century. Dr. Horace Wells discovered the clinical use of nitrous oxide in 1844. Dr. William T.G. Morton discovered ether anesthesia which was first demonstrated at Massachusetts General Hospital in 1846. The chief of surgery at the hospital was reported to have said, “This is no humbug!” Since that time, dentists have been intimately involved in general anesthesia because tooth extraction was, and still is, the most common surgical procedure performed. Additionally, dentists continue to be very active in the development and use of local anesthetics.

Dentists were among the first doctors to develop techniques of sedation where surgical procedures could be carried out without full unconsciousness.