Well, first off, I never read the original post.  Second, I'm not
a surgeon who places implants.

In reading the post, it sounds like a pretty simple explanation.
If you only have trouble with this one dentist, then it is some
combination of taking too long with the procedure, not keeping you
rinsed and suctioned well, and not giving you any rest periods.

Students are usually slower than experienced practitioners.  That
may be the main reason for your problem.  You probably don't want
him to speed up on your treatment.

You should have a discussion about this problem before the appt.
so he can find ways of making you more comfortable.

One of the trade offs when using dental schools for treatment.

JMO,
Steve

Why won't anyone touch this thread?
It leads me to believe that it IS the mistake of an inexperienced
surgeon, and no one wants to come out and say that.
or...?

Whenever I get gum surgery or implant surgery from my grad-student
dentist, I always end up choking towards the end of the session - an
hour and a half or so...

I always seem to get a lot of saliva and/or crap from the surgery
(blood, etc.?) in my throat and I find it difficult to swallow and end
up coughing/choking. I do my best to control it as he is suturing or
finishing up but it becomes very uncomfortable.

Should I demand to let him let me get up and rinse/spit, or what?

I have only had this problem with my implant and related surgeries by
this grad-student dentist and I don't know if it's because I've never
had such long sessions before, or if it's his or the assistant's
inexperience in getting me "suctioned" properly or ...?

Yesterday I had the gums cut open to reveal the 4 implants I had in
July (to prepare for crowns, finally!) and I was choking like crazy at
one point so he said, "Do you need to rinse?" and before I could say
yes, he said "We're almost done..."...

so I waited... another HALF HOUR of choking!

I hate to be a difficult patient so I just put up with it, but this
seems somewhat abusive and in retrospect I think I should have
demanded to get up and spit...

What is a patient to do?