Making Special Needs Dentistry More Accessible

Increased access to patient populations, including those with intellectual or physical disabilities, is essential to our Smile-Generation trusted practices. We provide special needs dentistry in practices staffed with a dentist for special needs adults and a special needs pediatric dentist. It is an honor to support these patients and their families by making quality oral health care convenient and comfortable for this unique patient population. 

We support them in several ways. It starts by providing comprehensive and professional dentistry for special people in the communities where they live, from regular check-ups to cleanings to delivering treatments for any immediate dental issues. We also make the necessary changes to how we deliver special needs dentistry to accommodate the challenges some patients face, including dental anxiety. 

Additionally, we educate patients and their caregivers about the health benefits of maintaining good oral hygiene at home and give them practical solutions that make it possible between visits. For example, our special needs dentists and their team collaborated with Special Olympics to design a downloadable educational guide for patients and caregivers to aid in day-to-day oral health care. 

Between the educational resources, emphasis on maintaining oral health, and routine dental care, we know that all our patients can achieve their best oral health. 

From the Moment You Walk In

The Pacific Dental Services® Foundation helps people with special needs get better oral health care. The foundation opened the first Pacific Dental Services Dentists for Special Needs office in Phoenix, which provides immediate dental care to people with special needs. 

We adapted the practice to address this unique patient population in several ways:

Our reception area and front office have a warm and inviting color scheme and an accessible area for wheelchair users. 

The front desk's optimized height makes it easy for patients of all abilities to check in. 

Tablets are available for patients to use while they wait.

However, the most unique feature of our office is our sensory room. We carefully chose each item in this room to provide sensory stimulation, allowing patients to explore and play while getting to know our office. We have gel mats for patients to stomp on and squish, walls adorned with encouraging words, and interactive features like heat boards and sequin walls. We have a tablet with games, a bubble lamp for relaxation, and colorful lights that change shades. There is also a trampoline to help patients release energy and alleviate their fears about reclining in the dental chair.

X-tra Thoughtful X-ray Equipment

Our state-of-the-art X-ray setup ensures maximum patient comfort during diagnosis. Also, a social story that begins in the X-ray operatory and continues along the hallway to the operatories guides patients through what they should expect during their visit.

We invested in cutting-edge technology to optimize our patients' comfort during this routine and critical part of delivering special-needs dentistry. Our X-ray operatory features technology for CBCT scans, panoramic X-rays, bitewing, and PA X-rays. With digital equipment, we minimize radiation exposure. Plus, the technology features smaller sensors that are more comfortable for patients to have in their mouths.  

Individualized Operatories

We offer a range of operatories tailored to our patients' needs, designed to make them feel more comfortable than they would in a traditional dental setting. All the operatories have doors for privacy. We also have sensory capes over the light fixtures to soften the environment's lighting.

There is a space for in-office general anesthesia, a room with two chairs for modeling with patients and their companions, and another room without a dental chair to accommodate wheelchair users or those who prefer a more relaxed setting. This room also serves patients who have difficulty with traditional chairs and prefer to sit on the padded floor or bring their own chairs.

Why the Dandelion?

You might notice the recurring presence of dandelions in our office design when you arrive. That is no accident. 

Our dandelion theme expresses our thoughts about special needs dentistry. The dandelion flourishes in all environments, even the most challenging. We find that metaphor fitting for our efforts with special needs patients.

With intentional space, extra time, caring special needs dentists and staff, and generous donors and supporters, we can create a long-lasting, flourishing partnership. Together, we strive to build lasting relationships and create a dental home for generations.