Scheduling a sedation dentistry consultation might be the hardest part. Not because it's complicated — it's not — but because if you're reading this, you've probably been putting off dental work for a while. Maybe years. And making that first call, sending that first email, booking that first appointment feels like crossing a line you've been avoiding.
So here's what happens when you cross it. No surprises. No hidden steps. No pressure. Just a clear picture of what your sedation dentistry consultation looks like from the moment you walk in to the moment you leave.
Before the Consultation: What to Bring
The consultation is straightforward, but bringing a few things makes it more productive:
A list of your medications. Every current medication, including supplements and over-the-counter drugs. This matters for sedation planning — some medications interact with sedation drugs, and your provider needs the complete picture.
Your dental insurance card (if you have one). Even though the consultation itself is free, we'll check your benefits during the appointment so you leave with a clear understanding of what your insurance covers for any recommended treatment.
Any recent dental records or X-rays from a previous dentist. If you don't have them, that's fine — we take our own imaging. But existing records can provide useful history.
Your questions. Write them down. Patients often think of questions before the appointment and then forget them in the moment. Common ones include: Is sedation safe for me? What will it cost? How many appointments will I need? Will I feel any pain? There are no bad questions.
Honesty about your medical history. This includes conditions you might not think are related to dental work — sleep apnea, heart conditions, anxiety disorders, allergies, previous reactions to anesthesia. All of it is relevant to sedation planning.
What Happens When You Arrive
You check in at the front desk. The paperwork is minimal — a medical history form and a brief intake questionnaire. If you're anxious just being in a dental office, that's understood. The staff at Sedation & Implants sees patients every day who haven't been to a dentist in 5, 10, 15 years or more. Nothing you say will surprise them and nothing about your situation will be judged.
The waiting area is calm. You won't be kept waiting long.
The Clinical Examination
Dr. Ruslan Maidans, DDS, FAGD, FDIA, performs the examination himself. This is not a handoff to a hygienist or associate. The doctor who will be treating you is the doctor who evaluates you.
The examination includes:
A visual assessment of your teeth, gums, and soft tissues. Dr. Rus looks at the overall condition of your mouth — what's working, what's failing, what needs immediate attention, and what can wait.
Digital imaging. We use digital X-rays and, in many cases, a panoramic or 3D scan. These images show bone density, tooth roots, infections below the gum line, and structural details that aren't visible to the naked eye. This is essential for planning implants, extractions, or any surgical procedures.
A conversation about your concerns. This is the part that surprises most patients. Dr. Rus asks what brought you in, what your goals are, and what you're most worried about. Then he listens. If your biggest concern is pain, that gets addressed. If it's cost, that gets addressed. If it's the fear that your teeth are beyond help — that gets addressed too.
The Treatment Plan Discussion
After the examination, Dr. Rus presents what he found and what he recommends. This conversation is direct and specific:
What needs to happen. Which teeth need treatment, what kind of treatment, and in what order. Nothing is vague. If a tooth needs to be extracted, he explains why. If an implant is recommended, he explains what it involves. If something can wait, he tells you that too.
Your sedation options. Based on your treatment needs, medical history, and anxiety level, Dr. Rus recommends a sedation approach. This might be IV sedation for complex work or significant anxiety, oral sedation for moderate cases, or nitrous oxide for simpler procedures. The choice is yours. He explains the differences and makes a recommendation, but the decision is always in your hands.
How many appointments. For patients who want to get all their dental work done at once, consolidation into one or two sedation appointments is often possible. For others, a phased approach works better. You'll know exactly how many visits to expect.
The timeline. When treatment can start, how long each appointment takes, and when you can expect to be finished. No open-ended commitments.
The Financial Conversation
This is where most dental offices lose people. They present a number and then rush you toward a decision. That's not how this works at Sedation & Implants.
The treatment coordinator sits down with you separately from the clinical discussion. She walks you through:
The total cost for your recommended treatment plan, broken down by procedure so you can see what each component costs.
What your insurance covers (if applicable). We verify your benefits during the appointment and apply them to the treatment plan. You see the insurance-adjusted number, not just the list price.
Payment options. HSA/FSA eligibility, monthly financing through CareCredit or Proceed Finance (often with promotional interest-free periods), and phased treatment options if you want to spread the work across calendar years to maximize insurance benefits.
What's optional. Not everything in a treatment plan is equally urgent. The coordinator helps you understand which procedures are time-sensitive and which ones can be scheduled later without consequence. This lets you prioritize based on both clinical need and budget.
You leave with a clear, written treatment plan and a specific financial breakdown. Nothing is hidden. Nothing is estimated vaguely. You know exactly what you'd be paying for.
The Zero-Pressure Commitment
Here's what does NOT happen at a sedation dentistry consultation at Sedation & Implants:
Nobody asks you to schedule treatment before you leave. Nobody creates urgency that doesn't exist. Nobody implies that you need to decide today.
You take the treatment plan home. You think about it. You talk to your partner or family if you want. You call back with questions. You schedule when you're ready — whether that's the next day or a month later.
Some patients schedule treatment at the end of their consultation because they've already been thinking about this for years and they're ready. Others need time. Both are fine.
The consultation is free specifically because we want to remove the barrier to getting information. You're not committing to anything by showing up. You're finding out what your options are.
Common Questions Patients Ask
"Will you judge me for how long it's been?" No. Dr. Rus treats patients every week who haven't seen a dentist in 5, 10, 20+ years. He has heard every version of this concern and he will not make you feel embarrassed about it.
"What if my teeth are really bad?" Then the consultation is especially important, because you need accurate information instead of the worst-case scenarios running through your head. Most patients are relieved to discover that their situation, while serious, is treatable.
"Is the sedation dentistry consultation different from a regular dental consultation?" Yes. A sedation consultation specifically evaluates your candidacy for sedation, reviews your medical history through that lens, and includes sedation-specific planning. It's more thorough than a standard new-patient exam.
"Do I need a referral?" No. You can call directly and schedule.
"How long does the consultation take?" Plan for about 45 minutes to an hour. This includes the examination, imaging, treatment plan discussion, and financial review.
"Can I bring someone with me?" Absolutely. Many patients bring a partner, family member, or friend for support. They're welcome in the consultation room.
Why the Consultation Matters More Than Online Research
You can spend hours reading about dental procedures, sedation options, and costs online — and you should, if it helps you feel informed. But at some point, the only way to get answers specific to your situation is to have someone examine your mouth and tell you what they find.
Online cost ranges are just ranges. Online procedure descriptions are general. Only a clinical examination can tell you which teeth need attention, what type of treatment is appropriate, whether sedation is right for you, and what your specific investment will be.
The consultation converts uncertainty into information. And information is what makes decisions possible.
Take the First Step
At Sedation & Implants in Groton, CT, every consultation is free. Dr. Ruslan Maidans will examine your mouth, discuss your options honestly, answer every question you have, and give you a specific treatment plan — with zero pressure to commit.
Call (860) 445-1330 or visit sedationimplants.com to schedule your free sedation dentistry consultation. The hardest part isn't the appointment. It's making the call. Everything after that gets easier.