Collins Dental
by Susan Shalhoub
Most people like to visit amusement parks, go out for ice cream, or shop at their favorite stores.
On the other hand, you don’t often hear people saying they like to go to the dentist. Collins Dental in Winter Springs is the exception to that rule, with patients who say they enjoy seeing the friendly staff and Dr. F.H. Collins, himself, who founded the practice in 2003.
And now, Collins Dental has added an in-demand service that’s likely to make a lot more people happier about visiting the dentist: sedation dentistry.
Dr. Collins says patients are attracted to sedation dentistry for several reasons.
“They may need a lengthy procedure, or they may have anxiety over visiting the dentist,” he says. “They could have a sensitive gag reflex or tooth sensitivity. They could have a fear of needles or claustrophobia in the dental chair. And there aren’t very many dentists in our area that offer sedation.”
At Collins Dental, guiding a patient into this temporary altered state of consciousness can be done in three different ways. Prior to dental procedures, patients are either administered laughing gas (nitrous oxide); oral conscious sedation; or intravenous (IV) sedation. With any of these moderate levels of sedation, patients are technically awake but feel calm and relaxed.
Shannon Timme says sedation dentistry is a godsend for anxious patients like herself.
“I was able to have four crowns and some additional work done in one visit,” says Shannon, “and I don’t remember a single thing.”
The practice’s sedation dentist, Dr. Collin Wietfeldt, takes wonderful care of patients.
“We are known for our exceptional chairside manner,” says Dr. Collins. “With sedation dentistry, we can serve a broader range of patients. Maybe there are folks out there who have prioritized their kids’ dental health over their own. Or for some
other reason, their dental health has fallen off track.”
The talented team at Collins Dental is here to serve those patients and get them back on track with exceptional dental care.
“We can help more patients now, even the anxious ones who have put off going to the dentist,” says Dr. Collins.