Panama City, Santa Rosa Beach, Niceville, & Fort Walton Beach Sedation Dentistry
Stress-Free Dental Care for Kids
Does your child struggle with dental anxiety? Panhandle Pediatric Dentistry offers sedation dentistry to keep them calm during treatment.
To give your child the best possible care, our doctors work with an anesthesiologist. We also network with local hospitals and surgery centers to provide hospital sedation when needed.
Types of Sedation Dentistry at Panhandle Pediatric Dentistry
Inhalation Sedation
Inhalation sedation (nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas”) is a safe and gentle way to help your child relax during dental treatment.
How does it work?
Your child breathes the gas through a small mask. Within minutes, they’ll feel calm while staying awake and responsive. Once the doctor removes the mask, the effects wear off quickly.
IV Sedation
We recommend IV sedation if your child needs a deeper level of relaxation or has extensive dental needs.
With this option, a small IV line delivers medication that allows your child to rest comfortably while our team completes their treatment.
A board-certified pediatric anesthesiologist monitors your child the entire time so you know they’re safe.
Meet Our Anesthesiologist
Dr. Robert Watson
Dr. Watson is a board-certified pediatric anesthesiologist with Pediatric Dental Anesthesia Associates.
He earned his medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham, Alabama.
Dr. Watson completed an internship at Carraway Methodist Medical Center, followed by residency training in anesthesiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
He received his pediatric anesthesiology training at the Children’s Hospital of Alabama.
Education & Training
- Medical School: University of Alabama School of Medicine (Birmingham, AL), 2002
- Internship: Carraway Methodist Medical Center (Birmingham, AL), 2003
- Residency: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Anesthesiology, 2006
Board Certifications
- American Board of Anesthesiology – Anesthesiology, 2007
- American Board of Anesthesiology – Pediatric Anesthesiology, 2013
Hospital Sedation/Surgery Center
Your child may need more than in-office options to complete their treatment safely.
That’s why our doctors provide hospital-based sedation in trusted medical facilities, including:
- Panama City Surgery Center
- Northwest Florida Community Hospital
- Summit Surgery Center
What Is Hospital Sedation?
If your child has extensive or complex dental needs, hospital sedation allows them to receive safe treatment in a medical facility.
Using hospital sedation, our team can complete your child’s care in one controlled visit, supported by hospital staff and equipment.
Why Your Child Might Need It
Your child might need more support than in-office sedation can provide.
Hospital sedation may be recommended for very young kids, kids with special health needs, or kids who need multiple procedures at once.
We use it to keep your child safe and help them avoid the stress of multiple visits.