
Dr. David J. Benefiel, MD
Anesthesiologist
2001 Coffee Ln Sebastopol CA, 95472About
Dr. David Benefiel is an anesthesiologist practicing in Sebastopol, CA. Dr. Benefiel ensures the safety of patients who are about to undergo surgery. Anestesiologists specialize in general anesthesia, which will (put the patient to sleep), sedation, which will calm the patient or make him or her unaware of the situation, and regional anesthesia, which just numbs a specific part of the body. As an anesthesiologist, Dr. Benefiel also might help manage pain after an operation.
Education and Training
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Bachelor Degree 0
Princeton University Master's Degree 0
Tufts Univ Sch of Med, Boston Ma 1977
Board Certification
AnesthesiologyAmerican Board of AnesthesiologyABA
Provider Details

Dr. David J. Benefiel, MD's Expert Contributions
Are you unconscious during oral surgery?
Do you mean to ask are you, the patient, unconscious? That depends on what procedure you are having and what anesthetic is planned. Often, sedation is given in combination with local anesthesia, i.e., versed and fentanyl are the most common IV drugs. For very major procedures, general anesthesia in a surgery center or hospital would be required, for instance, to repair a broken jaw. If you are a calm person and are having something not too complicated, i.e., a tooth extraction, local anesthesia alone would be sufficient. Good luck with your procedure. David Benefiel READ MORE
Expert Publications
Data provided by the National Library of MedicineFellowships
- University of California San Francisco School of Medicine echocardiography 1984
Dr. David J. Benefiel, MD's Practice location
Dr. David J. Benefiel, MD's reviews
Write ReviewPatient Experience with Dr. Benefiel
Media Releases
Get to know Otolaryngologist, Dr. David J. Benefiel, who serves patients in Sebastopol, California
Board-certified anesthesiologist, Dr. David J. Benefiel, is currently an Independent Business Owner with Benefiel Biomedical Consulting, a company he established in 1980. He has developed his business in parallel with his professional journey as an anesthesiologist. Dr. Benefiel offers consulting for the engineering and development of medical devices.
Dr. Benefiel has a demonstrated history of working in clinical research, healthcare consulting, anesthesia, medical devices, and medical education. He retired from practice in 2013 from Northern California Anesthesia Physicians Inc in San Francisco, California, where he had served as Director Emeritus since 2002. He has also taught cardiac anesthesia to fellows and residents in the clinical setting at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine (1999-2012).
Dr. Benefiel commenced his journey in the medical arena in 1977 when he graduated with his medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine. After a one-year internal medicine internship conducted at Boston University, Dr. Benefiel completed a residency in anesthesiology (1978-1980) as well as an echocardiography fellowship (1983-1984) at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine. Prior to medical school, he acquired a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1971) as well as a Master of Science in Engineering degree with a focus on Chemical Engineering from Princeton University (1973).
Dr. Benefiel attained board certification in anesthesiology through the American Board of Anesthesiology. The American Board of Anesthesiology sets standards and exams for the accreditation of Board certified anesthesiologists coming to the end of their residency. It is one of the 24 medical specialty boards that constitutes the American Board of Medical Specialties.
Anesthesiology is the medical specialty concerned with the total perioperative care of patients before, during, and after surgery. It encompasses anesthesia, intensive care medicine, critical emergency medicine, and pain medicine. Anesthesiologists have the primary responsibility of monitoring the patient’s vital signs during surgery. In addition to basic measurements such as pulse, blood pressure, and temperature, they measure the patient’s respiration.
Recommended Articles
- Sleep Apnea Machines: What's a CPAP?
Sleep Apnea, a sleeping disorder that causes breathing interruption during sleep, has some serious effects if left untreated. The most common and effective treatment for sleep apnea is the CPAP or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy which aids patients in breathing when asleep.How does CPAP...
- Different Types of Anxiety Disorders You Should Know About
Everyone feels anxious from time to time, but chronic anxiety can adversely impact the quality of your life. While in moderation, anxiety is not a bad thing, but when it becomes intense, it can have serious consequences on your physical health too. Everyone experiences anxiety differently. Some have...
- What Is the Epiglottis?
What is Epiglottis?Epiglottis is a elastic flap of tissue that is shaped like a thin leaf and situated at the root of the tongue. It protects the opening between the vocal cords, known as the entrance of the glottis. Epiglottis is covered with mucous membrane, which is a yellow elastic cartilage...
- Recovery After a Laminectomy
Laminectomy is a surgical procedure done for the removal of the lamina, bone spurs, and ligaments that may be putting pressure on your spinal nerves and causing lower back pain. The procedure is said to be one of the most commonly performed back surgeries. Below is a detailed information on what...
- What Are the Risks of Laminectomy?
Your doctor will first attempt to give you other alternative treatments before recommending surgery. If your back pain still persists after treatment, your doctor may suggest for surgery as one of the solutions. Laminectomy is the most probable surgical procedure that you will have to undergo.Facts...
- Different Types of Physicians Explained
Doctors or physicians are categorized according to different factors including medical specialties and subspecialties. Most doctors specialize in a specific area of medicine. This article provides a summary of the different types of doctors in the medical field. AllergistsAllergists are also...
Nearby Providers
- Dr. Dennis Yun MD6880 Palm Ave Sebastopol CA 95472
- Dr. Yeh-kuang Tsai MD1165 Montgomery Dr Santa Rosa CA 95405
- Dr. Jason Edward Pope MD416 Aviation Blvd Santa Rosa CA 95403
- Dr. Kristen Johnson M.D.3325 Chanate Rd Santa Rosa CA 95404
- Dr. Michael A. Mundell M.D.3325 CHANATE RD SANTA ROSA CA 95404
- Dr. Scott A Sewell MD3325 Chanate Rd Santa Rosa CA 95404
Nearest Hospitals
SUTTER SANTA ROSA REGIONAL HOSPITALl
30 MARK WEST SPRINGS ROAD SANTA ROSA CA 95403KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITAL-SANTA ROSAl
401 BICENTENNIAL WAY SANTA ROSA CA 95403SONOMA WEST MEDICAL CENTERl
501 PETALUMA AVENUE SEBASTOPOL CA 95472