The Compassionate Work of a CRNA in Dentistry

The first thing Dr. Cathy A. Harrison, DNAP, MSN, CRNA, notices when a child arrives at the dental office is not their chart, but their body language. She keeps a keen eye on the way their shoulders tense and how tightly their hands cling to a parent’s sleeve. After over 25 years of providing dental anesthesia, she’s perfectly attuned to how a child’s fear grows even before a single word is spoken.

“Most of these children have already had a lot of hard experiences,” Harrison said. “By the time they step foot into their appointment, they’re scared—and so are their parents.” 

Harrison has spent more than 40 years as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) in a variety of settings—including hospitals and as a decorated Navy Officer with the United States Navy (Reserve Component). Now, working in a dental office setting, she cares for patients whose needs often go far beyond what is typically expected. Many of her patients are very young. Others have developmental delays, sensory sensitivities, or medical conditions that make even routine dental care impossible without anesthesia. 

“They don’t want to be here,” Harrison said, her empathy for her patients evident in every word. “Of course they don’t. And no parent wants their child to need anesthesia for dental work. But they know their child needs care, and they’re trusting us with the most precious person in their life.” 

That trust is something Harrison never takes lightly. In the dental setting, she is often the steady presence families cling to as the procedure begins. She kneels to speak to her patients at eye level, explaining what will happen in simple, reassuring terms. She listens—to the child, their parents, and the unspoken worry that lingers in the room. And with every moment, she helps transform strangers in scrubs into a care team her patients trust. 

Those moments, Harrison believes, are where anesthesia becomes deeply human. While technical skills are essential, it is the emotional attunement that defines her work. In pediatric dental anesthesia, there is no rushing past fear or minimizing concern for the sake of speed and efficiency. Each child brings a different story, and Harrison has honed her craft in adapting to their individual needs. 

“So many of these kids have been told, ‘Just hold still,’ or even ‘This won’t hurt,’ when it did,” she said. “Is it really a shock that they’re scared? Is it a surprise that they don’t trust the system anymore? I do the hard work to make sure I earn that trust back.” 

Earning it sometimes means slowing everything down. It means giving both the patients and the parents space to ask the same question more than once for their peace of mind. It means recognizing when a child’s resistance is not misbehavior, but self-protection. Harrison recalls moments when parents have apologized for their child’s fear, only for her to stop them mid-sentence. 

“I tell them, ‘Your child is doing exactly what they’re supposed to do,’” she said. “They’re protecting themselves. Our job is protecting them too.” 

That philosophy has shaped her identity as a CRNA. While her journey has allowed her to practice in many different settings, she emphasizes the unique demands of the dental office setting and the meaning she has found with every patient. Dental anesthesia, particularly for children, requires adaptability, vigilance, and a deep understanding of how small bodies respond under anesthesia. It also requires an ability to connect quickly and sincerely with both the child and their parent. 

“Sometimes, you only get a very short window to make them feel safe,” Harrison said. 

And yet, the impact of that window can last a lifetime. Harrison has seen it firsthand. 

One patient, she shared, was so overwhelmed by anxiety during her first visit that Harrison had to meet her outside at the curb. Harrison recounted having to leave the building and sit with her, right outside, until she felt calm enough to enter. Six years later, Harrison still sees this patient, still nervous—she tells Harrison so, repeatedly—but now she walks through the door. 

Another patient, a child with high-functioning autism, had avoided the dentist for years after a traumatic experience in which he was restrained. Harrison refused to repeat that harm. Instead, she took a moment to step back, view him holistically, and adapt her care style to suit his needs. Over time, he became a willing regular patient. The patient who once avoided all eye contact now looks up when Harrison greets him. And sometimes, he even smiles. 

These moments stay with her. “That’s what makes it all worth it,” Harrison said. “Knowing that maybe, just maybe, we didn’t add to their trauma—we helped take some of it away.” 

Children’s Dental Health Month, for Harrison, is a reminder that oral health is never just about teeth. Untreated dental disease can affect nutrition, sleep, speech, and self-esteem. For children with complex needs, delays in care can compound into serious health consequences. Anesthesia can make care possible for patients who would otherwise go without—and CRNAs like Harrison are essential to that access. 

“There are kids who simply wouldn’t be able to get dental care without anesthesia,” she said. “If we weren’t here, they’d just live in pain.” 

That reality gives her work purpose. Even on long days, when the emotional weight is heavy, Harrison remains clear about why she shows up. She sees her role not as ancillary, but as foundational to the whole procedure, her team, and the patient’s experience. “At the end of the day, I want parents to feel like their child was seen,” she said. “Not just treated. Really seen.” 

In the quiet moments after a procedure, when a child stirs awake and reaches instinctively for their parent, Harrison watches closely. She checks vitals, yes, but she also watches relief wash across a parent’s face. In those moments, the room feels lighter and the fear and anxiety that once filled it dissipates. 

“That’s the best part,” she said softly. “When they realize their child is okay.” 

For Harrison, being a CRNA who practices in dentistry is more than just anesthesia. It’s about restoring trust, easing fear, and protecting children during moments when they are most vulnerable. It is work that requires precision and heart in equal measure.

To learn more about dental anesthesia and how CRNAs contribute to safe, patient-centered care, visit AANA’s dental anesthesia resources.