Meet Dr. Cara Riley
Dr. Riley is a dentist anesthesiologist in private practice, providing comprehensive anesthesia care for a wide spectrum of dental patients, including pediatric, adult, special needs, and medically complex individuals. With a focus on safety, comfort, and individualized care, Dr. Riley delivers anesthesia services in diverse settings—ranging from private dental offices to ambulatory surgery centers and hospitals—primarily across Washington and Colorado. She is a board-certified in dental anesthesiology and brings extensive clinical, academic, and management experience, particularly in pediatric anesthesiology. Her clinical acumen and leadership have established her as a national voice in dental anesthesiology.
Dr. Riley earned her Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from Georgetown University, where she majored in psychology and completed pre-medical studies. Following graduation, she spent three years at Under Armour Performance Apparel as a product line manager for the women’s division, gaining valuable experience in stewardship, innovation, and strategic planning. She later pursued her passion for healthcare at Harvard School of Dental Medicine, where she developed a strong interest in the medical aspects of dentistry—particularly the care of medically complex and behaviorally challenging patients—which ultimately led her to specialize in dental anesthesiology. Dr. Riley earned her Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry, magna cum laude, from Harvard in 2009 and completed her residency in Dental/Maxillofacial Anesthesiology, along with a Master of Science degree, at The Ohio State University in 2011.
After completing her residency, Dr. Riley launched an office-based anesthesia practice in Tennessee, providing care to dental patients in a variety of private practice settings. Within a year she was recruited by Children’s Hospital Colorado. She was immediately drawn to the exceptional caliber of the facility, the opportunity to care for vulnerable pediatric and special needs patients, and, of course, the allure of Colorado’s ski slopes. At Children’s Hospital Colorado, Dr. Riley progressed through academic ranks and was named Associate Professor in 2019. As a per diem attending anesthesiologist, she provides care for children and individuals with special health care needs undergoing dental procedures. She also plays a vital role in clinical education, supervising and mentoring residents and fellows from anesthesiology, dentistry, intensive care, and emergency medicine.
Dr. Riley is a Diplomate of the American Dental Board of Anesthesiology, where she has held leadership roles including President (2021–2022) and Chair of the Committee on Examinations. She has played a pivotal role in establishing national standards for board certification and clinical excellence in dental anesthesiology. In Colorado, she served on the State Board of Dentistry’s Anesthesia Committee (2016–2022), advising on sedation regulations and developing training standards for office-based anesthesia inspections.
A dedicated scholar, Dr. Riley has authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and textbook chapters focused on sedation and anesthesia. Key journal publications include comparative studies of sedative agents, original case reports highlighting anesthetic considerations in rare syndromic conditions, and articles on sedation safety, pediatric physiology, and dental education. Notable book chapters include “Intravenous Fluids” in Anesthetic Complications in the Dental Office, “Overview of Local Anesthesia” in Applied Head and Neck Anatomy for the Facial Cosmetic Surgeon,” and Assessment of the Heart” in History and Physical for the Pediatric Dental Patient.
Dr. Riley is also an active peer reviewer for journals such as Anesthesia Progress, Decisions in Dentistry, and Pediatric Dentistry, evaluating submissions on sedation safety and procedural anesthesia. Her ongoing research includes retrospective studies on recovery outcomes in pediatric patients undergoing general anesthesia for dental surgery. A recognized educator and frequent invited speaker, she has presented at national meetings hosted by groups such as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Society for Pediatric Sedation, and the American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists.
Dr. Riley is a member of multiple professional organizations, including the American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists, the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, and the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia. Additionally, she is certified in BLS, ACLS, and PALS.
Originally from coastal Maine, Dr. Riley now splits her time between Colorado and Washington. Beyond her professional life, Dr. Riley enjoys charting new adventures with her two spirited sons and their loyal hound dog, Pilot.
