At MH Dental Anesthesia, patient safety and comfort are our highest priorities.
Guided by Safety, Experience, and Compassion
Dr. Hurd believes that every patient deserves the safest and most comfortable anesthesia experience possible. His practice is built around:
Safety First
Strict adherence to national anesthesia guidelines, comprehensive monitoring, and emergency preparedness at every case. Hospital-level equipment and protocols are brought directly into the dental office.
Expertise
Dual board certification, advanced anesthesia training, and decades of emergency medicine experience guide every anesthetic plan. Each case is personally managed to ensure consistency and the highest level of care.
Compassion
Patient-centered care that emphasizes clear communication, comfort, and respect. We take the time to listen, explain, and support patients and families throughout the entire process.
Consistency of Care
Every anesthetic is provided by Dr. Hurd himself. There is no subcontracting, ensuring familiarity, accountability, and continuity from start to finish.
Safe. Comfortable. Trusted.
Safe. Comfortable. Trusted.
Safe. Comfortable. Trusted.
Office-Based Care
MH Dental Anesthesia is a mobile, office-based anesthesiology practice serving dental offices throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Rather than requiring treatment in a hospital or surgical center, we bring hospital-level monitoring, equipment, and expertise directly into the dental office setting.
Dr. Matthew Hurd is a dual board-certified Dentist Anesthesiologist
Dr. Matthew Hurd is a dual board-certified Dentist Anesthesiologist (American Dental Board of Anesthesiology & National Dental Board of Anesthesiology) and founder of MH Dental Anesthesia, a mobile office-based anesthesia practice serving the San Francisco Bay Area.
He completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree at UCSF School of Dentistry, followed by a residency in Dental Anesthesiology at The Ohio State University, one of the nation's leading programs. His clinical background includes decades of experience in pre-hospital and emergency medicine since 2004, combined with hospital- and office-based anesthesia.
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FAQ
Everything you need to know about our anesthesia services.
Yes. When administered by a trained dental anesthesiologist, office-based anesthesia is very safe. Dr. Hurd follows strict national safety guidelines and brings hospital-grade monitoring and emergency preparedness equipment directly into the dental office.
Dr. Matthew Hurd is dual board-certified in Dental Anesthesiology, with a background that includes:
- Over two decades of experience in pre-hospital and emergency department medicine since 2004
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the UCSF School of Dentistry
- Residency training in Dental Anesthesiology at The Ohio State University
- Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry, where he provides direct anesthesia care and mentors oral and maxillofacial surgery interns and dental anesthesia interns in safe, evidence-based anesthesia practices
Parents are welcome to be with their child before anesthesia begins and again in recovery. For safety, we maintain a sterile and calm environment during the procedure itself, but you will always be nearby and updated throughout the process.
Children usually begin waking up within minutes after the procedure ending. Some may feel groggy, emotional, or disoriented — this is completely normal. We’ll guide you on how to comfort your child, and you’ll receive clear post-op instructions before heading home.
For safety, it’s very important that your child’s stomach is empty before anesthesia. You will receive specific fasting instructions in advance (what time to stop food and liquids).
Dr. Hurd has extensive experience caring for children and adults with complex medical conditions. Every patient receives a personalized anesthesia plan based on their health history, lab results, and unique needs.
Anesthesia services are billed separately from dental treatment fees. Payment is collected at the end of the procedure. A small credit card processing fee applies to card payments.
We bring full hospital-grade monitoring equipment, medications, and emergency supplies to every case.
Your child will not feel any pain during the procedure. After anesthesia, some children may have mild soreness or discomfort related to the dental procedure itself.
Opioid-free anesthesia is an approach to sedation or general anesthesia that avoids the use of opioid medications while still providing excellent comfort and pain control. Instead, we use a carefully balanced combination of modern, non-opioid medications and anesthesia techniques designed to keep your child safe and comfortable throughout treatment.
For many young patients, limiting exposure to opioid medications can offer important benefits, including reducing early exposure to opioid drugs, minimizing common side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and excessive drowsiness, lowering the risk of breathing-related complications after surgery, and supporting a smoother, faster recovery, ultimately maximizing overall safety while maintaining comfort. Our goal is always to balance comfort, safety, and rapid recovery.
Yes. Comfort and pain control remain our top priorities. We use multimodal anesthesia, meaning several non-opioid medications work together to control pain through different mechanisms. This allows excellent pain relief while avoiding opioid medications whenever appropriate.
When performed by a trained anesthesia provider, opioid-free anesthesia is a safe and well-established technique used increasingly in pediatric and outpatient procedures. Each anesthetic plan is individualized based on your child’s medical history, age, and treatment needs.
Not always. While many children are excellent candidates, the safest plan depends on factors such as medical history, the type and length of the procedure, anxiety level and cooperation, and expected pain after treatment. We will review your child’s health history carefully and discuss the best option together.
Absolutely. If minimizing medication exposure is important to your family, please let us know. We are happy to discuss whether an opioid-free plan is appropriate for your child.
You will be given direct contact information for Dr. Hurd.
We encourage parents to feel fully informed and comfortable. Please contact our office anytime — we are happy to discuss your child’s anesthesia plan in detail.
Yes. At MH Dental Anesthesia, your safety is our top priority. Dr. Hurd is a dual board-certified Dentist Anesthesiologist with decades of experience. We use the same monitoring equipment and safety standards you would find in a hospital.
We provide:
- General Anesthesia
- Deep Sedation
- Moderate Sedation
Each plan is customized based on your medical history and preferences.
You will receive detailed pre-operative instructions before your appointment.
In general:
- Avoid food and drink for a set period.
- Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home.
- Review your medications with Dr. Hurd.
Most patients wake up within minutes after the procedure and remain in the office for observation until fully alert. It is normal to feel groggy or tired for the remainder of the day.
Yes. Anesthesia services are billed separately from dental office fees. A cost estimate will be provided in advance, and payment is collected at the end of your procedure. A small credit card processing fee applies to card payments.
We perform a comprehensive review of your medical history before scheduling anesthesia. Many underlying medical conditions can be safely navigated with thorough evaluation of the patient’s medical history and individualized selection of anesthesia techniques, balancing optimal patient comfort with the highest standards of safety.
Your Peace of Mind
When you choose MH Dental Anesthesia, you are choosing a higher standard of care. Our focus extends beyond the procedure itself to provide trust, expertise, and consistent support, so you can feel confident knowing you or your child are in safe and capable hands.