February 26, 2025

Introducing Dr. Targ – MD Anesthesiologist and part of our Pediatric Dental Care Team
When your little one needs extra special dental care, our secret weapon is none other than Buzz Lightyear himself – Dr. Targ, one of our expert anesthesiologists! Dr. Targ (aka Buzz) is dedicated to ensuring your child's journey to dental health is safe, comfortable, and out of this world!
Kid-Friendly Sedation Options
Mission Bay Pediatric Dentistry helps little ones with greater dental needs get high-quality, safe, and fear-free care under general anesthesia. Buzz Lightyear (also known as Dr. Targ) is our esteemed MD anesthesiologist. He has earned the trust of countless Bay Area families by providing a safe and comfortable treatment experience. With Buzz, Cadet Krissy, Dr. Shah and the Mission Bay Pediatric Dentistry Team on your side, our kid-friendly visits exceed your child's needs, fostering positive outlooks of dental visits.
If your child has special or extensive dental needs, we are here to help them get back to dental health.
Why Choose Mission Bay Pediatric Dentistry for Anesthesia Services?
Cost-Effective Solution
In-office anesthesia services help families avoid costly hospital and facility fees while maintaining the same high standards of safety and care. You are able to use Medical Insurance benefits towards the anesthesia portion of the procedure and we partner with you to get the maximum coverage.
Expert Care You Can Trust
Dr. Targ is an experienced MD anesthesiologist who has safely administered anesthesia for thousands of pediatric cases. Working alongside Dr. Shah, our award-winning San Francisco pediatric dentist, you have our skilled pediatric dental dream team, ensuring that quality care and an exceptional experience preserve your child’s oral health and positive dental visits.
Complete Comfort and Safety
We utilize state-of-the-art monitoring equipment and follow strict safety protocols, ensuring your child receives the highest level of care in a controlled, comfortable environment. Dr Targ has thousands of cases over several decades of experience providing hospital-grade anesthesia services, and his safety standards exceed required benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is general anesthesia safe for my child?
Yes, general anesthesia is safe when administered by qualified professionals like our MD anesthesiologist, Dr. Targ. Dr. Shah and Dr. Targ complete a thorough review of your child’s health before proceeding with any treatment. We carefully evaluate each child's medical history to ensure anesthesia is appropriate for their specific situation. We maintain the highest safety standards, using advanced monitoring equipment and following strict protocols throughout the procedure. Our team provides before and after care guidance, so that parents can rest easy, and patients recover happy and healthy.
What will my child’s experience be like?
Your child will come back with you and Dr. Targ will have them sit on your lap. Dr. Targ will introduce them to a space travel journey with a special space rocket mask. With in the first few breaths your child will be safely asleep. Unlike other sedation modalities, they will have no recollection of the procedure, nor will they encounter any discomfort during the procedure. They will wake up in your lap in the recovery room.
How long will my child be under anesthesia?
The duration varies depending on the dental work needed, but most procedures last between 1-3 hours. We work efficiently to minimize anesthesia time while ensuring all necessary treatment is completed with the highest quality of care. Your child will be monitored continuously during the procedure and through recovery.
What can we expect during recovery?
We utilize mild and short-acting anesthetic agents to ensure your child’s comfort and efficient recovery. Recovery from anesthesia typically takes 15-30 minutes, during which your child will be closely monitored in our comfortable recovery area until they are alert and ready to go home with you. Most children are back to their normal activities within a few hours, although we recommend taking it easy for the remainder of the day. We provide detailed post-operative instructions specific to you child and are available 24/7 to address any concerns during recovery.