Why I'm on a Mission to Change Safety in Sedation Dentistry
From Childhood to Dental Sedation Safety Expertise
Where We Are Now
Kuleana, Ohana, Excellence, and Protection are the building blocks of my values.
It has led me to this simple mission:
I build sedation systems that protect lives and the dental practices that care for them, as if my own child were a patient.
Leading to this vision:
So that no patient (especially a child) dies in a dental office ever again.
Through both my clinical practice (New York Medical Anesthesia) and my risk management organization (Blue Pacific Medical Simulation), I support dental teams and families through the most high-risk dental endeavor...sedation.
Living My Kuleana: How Family Shaped My Calling
Growing up as the eldest of 14 cousins and siblings in a Chinese-Hawaiian family, I carried the weight of kuleana (or responsibility) early on. My dad, grandparents, and upbringing in Hawaii deeply rooted in me the value of ohana, or family, and the duty to protect and guide others. Whether at family gatherings or going shopping together, I did my best to watch out and safeguard my extended family. While it sometimes felt like a burden, it shaped me. That early sense of duty laid the foundation for my work in medicine, vigilant, empathetic, and always leading with care.
From Surgery to Anesthesiology – A Life-Changing Decision
I started my career in urology intern, believing I was destined to be a surgeon. But after realizing that surgery wasn’t the right path for me, I reluctantly pivoted towards anesthesiology. For the 1st 6 months into my anesthesiology residency, I still wasn’t sure this was the right career path for me. But, I excelled and was surrounded by strong mentors. This major turning point revealed a better professional fit than surgery and wealth of opportunities as of yet to be revealed.
Becoming a Trusted Pediatric Anesthesiologist
I became a board-certified pediatric anesthesiologist, having now worked in prominent medical institutions such as NYU, Bellevue, Johns Hopkins, and Mt. Sinai Hospitals. Over the coming years to eventually perform over 18,000 sedation procedures, this is when I began to hone my expertise in pediatric anesthesiology, anesthesia in non-standard/remote locations, and emergency anesthesia management, forming the foundation for my future work in dental sedation.
The Birth of a New Focus: Sedation Safety in Dentistry
In 2016, I saw a significant gap in pediatric sedation delivery and care within dental practices. So, I left Mt. Sinai Hospital as an established Assistant Professor and Division Head to now focus on sedation for dental and oral surgery teams, founding New York Medical Anesthesia, a mobile sedation service bringing top-tier hospital-grade care directly to dental offices.
Leading the Charge for Safer Sedation
Upon my wife’s suggestions (I’m such a great spouse!), my journey evolved into a mission to raise the standard of dental sedation safety. With a focus on crisis resource management (CRM), team alignment, simulation, my work aims to build a safer, more coordinated approach to sedation throughout the dental and oral surgery industry.. This is how Blue Pacific Medical Simulation was born.
"Dr. Marn was amazing with my daughter and made a potentially stressful experience feel smooth and reassuring. From the initial phone call to post-sedation care, he walked me through everything and truly put my mind at ease."
The Inspiration Behind the Work
My entry into the dental world wasn’t planned, it was inspired. My wife, Dr. Jessica Marn, DDS, a Board-Certified pediatric dentist and private practice owner at East Side Pediatric Dental, introduced me to the unique challenges dental professionals face when providing sedation without the infrastructure of a hospital. She’s been more than a supporter, she’s the inspiration behind the very concept of this work.
In fact, it was her brilliant idea to create simulation-based emergency training specifically for dental teams. That spark has since grown into a full-blown mission to elevate safety standards across the profession. Her continued support, clinical wisdom, and lived experience have shaped the work I do every day.
Affiliated Institutions
Love For Dr. Marn
Hear stories and feedback from my patients and their families, and the dental and oral teams I've helped. They inspire me to continually deliver the quality of care that I would expect for my own family.
Ready to Protect What Matters
Whether you're leading a team or deciding for your child, the first step is clarity.
