Learn more about pain-free shots at Pine Tree Pediatric Dentistry.
For many West Linn families, the biggest barrier to their child getting necessary dental care isn’t the treatment itself — it’s the anxiety leading up to it. Dental fear is real, and in children it can make even routine cleanings feel impossible. Pediatric sedation, when recommended and administered by a trained specialist, removes that barrier entirely and allows your child to get the care they need comfortably and safely.
pediatric dentists serving West Linn Dr. Tesha Waggoner at Pine Tree Pediatric Dentistry understand that every child has different needs when it comes to managing anxiety and discomfort during dental procedures. Our special needs pediatric dentist services extend to all children who may benefit from sedation options, ensuring each child receives personalized care in a comfortable environment.
Not all sedation is created equal, and not all providers are qualified to administer it safely to children. At Pine Tree Pediatric Dentistry, sedation is a core part of our practice — not an occasional exception. West Linn families choose us for sedation specifically because Dr. Waggoner’s training goes far beyond what a general dentist receives.
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is our lightest option — inhaled through a small mask, it helps children relax while staying fully conscious. It wears off quickly, so most kids are back to normal within minutes. For children who need more, we offer oral conscious sedation — a medication that produces deeper relaxation and a degree of amnesia around the appointment. For the most complex cases, we provide in-office general anesthesia with full monitoring throughout. When a hospital setting is needed, Dr. Waggoner holds privileges at Providence St. Vincent and Legacy Randall Hospital.
West Linn families most commonly come to us for sedation in these situations: children with significant dental anxiety who shut down at a previous dentist; children needing multiple teeth treated in a single visit; very young children not yet developmentally ready for complex procedures; and children with special healthcare needs — including autism, sensory processing disorder, or Down syndrome — who need extra support to complete necessary care.
We evaluate every child individually. Sedation is never our first instinct — we try behavioral techniques, distraction, and our calming environment first. But when sedation is the right answer, we’re fully equipped to do it safely and effectively.
Safety is our top priority when providing sedation services. Dr. Waggoner has extensive training in pediatric sedation protocols and maintains current certifications in advanced life support techniques. We carefully monitor each child throughout the entire procedure using state-of-the-art equipment.
Before any sedation procedure, we conduct a thorough evaluation of your child’s medical history, current medications, and overall health status. We provide detailed pre-operative instructions and discuss what to expect during and after the procedure. Our team remains with your child throughout the entire treatment, continuously monitoring their vital signs and comfort level.
Recovery is carefully supervised, and we provide comprehensive post-operative instructions to ensure your child’s comfort during the healing process. Our post-op instructions page provides detailed guidance for caring for your child after sedated procedures.
Sedation works best in an environment that’s already calm. For West Linn families coming to us for sedation appointments, the full comfort toolkit is in play: weighted blankets, low lighting, noise reduction, and our in-office dogs Meyers and CJ, who are remarkable at easing anxiety before the procedure even begins. We also offer pre-visit social stories and office tours so that children — especially those with special needs — already feel familiar with the space on appointment day.
Parents are asked to stay in a supportive but quiet role during treatment. Our sedation protocols are most effective in a low-stimulation setting. We give you a full debrief when it’s done and have post-op instructions ready for the recovery period at home.
Under sedation, we can accomplish far more in a single visit than would otherwise be possible. For West Linn children who need multiple fillings, crowns, or extractions, sedation means fewer appointments, less cumulative stress, and a more efficient path to a healthy mouth. We use tooth-colored composite fillings and pediatric crowns in composite, zirconia, and stainless steel depending on location and your child’s needs. Gentle extractions are performed when a tooth can’t be saved, always with space preservation for developing permanent teeth in mind.
We proudly serve West Linn families and the broader South Portland metro area. Our team participates in the Down Syndrome Network Oregon Buddy Walk each year and supports Smile Oregon, which helps children with craniofacial conditions access care. For West Linn families with children who have special healthcare needs, our sedation services are especially important — and we take that responsibility seriously.
We accept most dental insurance plans and are in-network with Delta Dental Premier. For families with Oregon Health Plan (OHP) Medicaid coverage, we accept ODS dental plans, as well as CareOregon and Advantage plans by referral. Our friendly staff helps navigate insurance benefits and maximizes your coverage to make sedation dentistry services more accessible.
We understand that the cost of sedation services can be a concern for families. Our team works with you to understand your insurance coverage and explore payment options to ensure your child receives the care they need.
If your West Linn child is avoiding the dentist because of fear, or if necessary treatment keeps getting delayed because appointments aren’t manageable, sedation dentistry may be exactly what’s been missing. Call us at (503) 292-9274 or schedule online to discuss whether sedation is the right fit. We’ll walk you through every option at your consultation so there are no surprises.
Yes. Dr. Waggoner has extensive training in pediatric sedation protocols and maintains current certifications in advanced life support techniques. Each child is monitored continuously throughout their procedure using state-of-the-art equipment, and our approach is always tailored to the individual child's health history and needs.
We offer three levels of sedation: nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for mild anxiety, oral conscious sedation for children who need deeper relaxation, and in-office general anesthesia for complex or lengthy procedures. For cases requiring a full hospital setting, Dr. Waggoner holds privileges at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center.
Children who experience severe dental anxiety, require extensive treatment, have difficulty sitting still, or have special healthcare needs may benefit from sedation. Our team evaluates each child individually during a consultation to recommend the most appropriate level of sedation for their specific situation.
Coverage varies by plan. We accept most dental insurance and are in-network with Delta Dental Premier. We also accept ODS dental plans for families with Oregon Health Plan (OHP) Medicaid coverage. Our team helps navigate your benefits before the appointment so there are no surprises.
15962 Boones Ferry Rd, Suite 208
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
We’re so excited to share that Dr. Tesha and the Pine Tree Pediatric Dentistry team are opening a second location this July! We’re bringing the same warm, kid-friendly care families know and love — now closer to Lake Oswego. Stay tuned for more details!
