950 Francis Pl #305, Clayton, MO 63105 Mon-Thu 7am-4pm · Fri 7am-3pm

Autism dentistry · St. Louis

Autism Dentist in St. Louis

Finding the right dentist for a child or adult with autism takes more than clinical skill. It takes understanding, patience, and a truly supportive environment. The Dental Anesthesia Center provides complete dental care under sedation or general anesthesia in a calm, sensory-aware office in Clayton.

Our doctors are dentist anesthesiologists, and our practice is built around patients who cannot be treated comfortably in a traditional dental setting. It is part of our broader special needs dentistry care.

Doctor-owned, privately owned practice

Where other dentists come to learn

Care for severe anxiety and special needs

In-office sedation and general anesthesia

Dr. Behl! I cannot recommend Dr. Maris Behl enough. If you have dental anxiety, she is truly the kind of dentist you hope to find. If teeth could be wrapped in pillows and protected by flying unicorns, Dr. Behl would somehow make it happen. I have significant anxiety around dental procedures and have needed deeper sedation for dental work in the past. From the beginning, Dr. Behl took the time to listen to my concerns and made me feel genuinely heard rather than dismissed or rushed. She created such a sense of trust and safety that I was eventually able to have my dental work done with only nitrous instead of full sedation, which is something I honestly didn’t think I would be comfortable doing. During my crown placement, she explained what she was doing throughout the procedure, which made an enormous difference in keeping me calm. She also took the time to address a filling that had been bothering me for what felt like forever — and she actually fixed the problem. What stands out most about Dr. Behl is how safe I feel in her care. She is compassionate, patient, communicative, and incredibly attentive to how her patients are feeling. For someone with dental anxiety, that combination is invaluable. Finding a dentist I trust this much has completely changed my experience with dental care. I am incredibly grateful to Dr. Behl and would recommend her without hesitation, especially to anyone who has dental anxiety or has struggled to feel comfortable receiving dental treatment.
Dr Thoms and his team are phenomenal. No question, the absolute best possible option for my child when he needed work done while sleeping (age based). While this option is not inexpensive, this set up of have anesthesiology in-house allowed us to get his mouth healthy when a traditional pediatric dentist could/would not. I am a parent that asks a lot of questions on behalf of my toddler’s care and at no point did I feel judged for this, nor was I rushed during my evaluation process during the consultation. Although the procedure is not one I would like to repeat for my child, my husband and I were both so pleased with how well Dr. Thoms communicated and how he clearly cared for our son’s wellbeing (both physical and emotional during a less than comfortable visit). Cannot recommend the back of house team more highly. My one detraction is the FOH staff (not everyone) were not nearly as pleasant. I would like to communicate that while their day-to-day is very routine for them, being in that office as a parent is very scary for some people in their office and a little bit of kindness goes along way. I do recall, having a very pleasant conversation with Rebecca, but otherwise everyone else was on the apathetic side, in my personal opinion. That said you’ll notice that I still am leaving a five star review because the dental staff really just knocked out of the park, but as a parent I want to encourage you to look past any rudeness you may experience over email or on the phone because Dr. Thom’s is really that excellent.
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to share such thoughtful feedback. We’re grateful to hear that our team provided compassionate, attentive care and took the time to answer your questions throughout the process. We also appreciate your comments regarding your experience with our front office team and will certainly share your feedback. Your kind words mean so much to us!
Very nice very convenient for me great people working
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad you had a positive experience with our team. We truly appreciate your 5-star review!
The staff is always compassionate and explain all the steps of the procedure. This office has been a God send for me because otherwise I would have let my teeth fall into further disrepair. I highly recommend this office!!!!!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and recommendation! We’re so glad our team could help make your experience feel comfortable and supportive. We truly appreciate your 5-star review!
Searching for a new dental clinic is challenging for someone who has dental anxiety, fear, and traumatic experiences in a dental chair. The staff and doctors at the Dental Anesthesia Center were immediately very welcoming. Dr. Thoms put together a very detailed plan to repair and replace the previous work that I had in the past that was now causing problems. Putting my faith in him was the best thing that I could have done for my situation. I am more than completely satisfied with all of the extensive dental work that I’ve had with Dr.Thoms. I had my fourth sleep dentistry experience yesterday and I’m very happy with my results. I highly recommend this practice and truly want to give them more than five stars! Thank you for giving me back my health and confidence. I adding to this post because of my visit today with the best dental hygienist Delaina and my exam with Dr. Biehl. I have truly never been to such a caring and supportive dental group. Everyone is always conscientious of my needs and knows that I have issues with anxiety. I am always calm when I am sitting in the chair because of their kindness. I am so pleased with the Dental anesthesia center. There needs to be more than five stars. Thank you, everyone.
Response from the owner:We know it isn’t always easy to find a dental office where you feel at ease, so your words mean the world to us. We’re so glad you feel comfortable with our team and truly appreciate your trust and recommendation!

Our approach

Care that starts with understanding

Every person with autism experiences the world differently. We take the time to understand each patient’s needs and preferences before any treatment begins.

Successful dental care begins with understanding. During your first visit, we take time to learn about your or your loved one’s specific needs, concerns, and previous dental experiences. This helps us create a personalized approach that considers everything from preferred communication styles to sensory sensitivities. Our goal is to build a foundation of trust that makes future dental care more comfortable and predictable.

From the moment you walk through our doors, you will notice the difference in our approach, from our quiet, calming atmosphere to patient-centered scheduling that allows for the time and flexibility each person needs. We care for both children and adults, including pediatric patients who need anesthesia for dental care.

Sedation options

Comfortable sedation choices for every need

As a practice focused on dental anesthesiology, we offer a complete range of sedation options tailored to each patient’s comfort level and dental care needs.

Minimal sedation

Gentle relaxation while maintaining full awareness. A good fit for patients who need a little extra help staying comfortable.

Moderate sedation

A deeper state of relaxation, often with little memory of the procedure afterward.

Deep sedation and general anesthesia

For comprehensive dental work or patients with high anxiety, treatment can be completed while the patient is fully asleep.

The right option depends on each patient’s needs, medical history, and the treatment planned. We review the choice together before any care begins.

What to expect

Making the first visit comfortable

New environments can be challenging for individuals with autism. We build the first visit around getting comfortable, not getting through a procedure.

We offer pre-visit practice sessions that give patients the opportunity to become familiar with our office at their own pace. These visits allow you or your loved one to meet our team, explore our treatment rooms, and understand what to expect during dental procedures. This gradual introduction can help reduce anxiety and build confidence for future dental care.

Our practice has been thoughtfully designed with the needs of patients with autism in mind:

  • Quiet, private treatment rooms where patients can feel secure and undisturbed
  • Lighting that can be adjusted for comfort
  • Comfort items welcome, whether that is a weighted blanket or a favorite object
  • Clear explanations at each patient’s pace, every step of the way

Academic partnerships

Where other dentists come to learn.

Our doctors train other doctors. Residents in graduate periodontics and dental anesthesiology rotate through our Clayton office to learn sedation and anesthesia care.

Residency rotation

Saint Louis University

Center for Advanced Dental Education

Graduate periodontics residents from SLU rotate through our office for a month of hands-on sedation training with our doctors.

Residency program

University of Pittsburgh

School of Dental Medicine

We partner with the University of Pittsburgh’s Dental Anesthesiology Residency Program, helping train the next generation of dentist anesthesiologists.

Questions answered

Frequently asked questions

Common questions from parents and caregivers. If yours is not here, call us. We are happy to talk it through.

Can we visit the office before treatment begins?

Yes. We offer pre-visit practice sessions so patients can become familiar with our office at their own pace, meet our team, explore the treatment rooms, and learn what to expect before any dental care takes place.

Can my child bring a comfort item to the appointment?

Absolutely. We welcome anything that helps a patient feel more at ease, whether that is a weighted blanket or a favorite comfort object. Our treatment rooms are quiet and private, and lighting can be adjusted for comfort.

Which sedation option is right for a patient with autism?

It depends on the patient. We offer every level of sedation, from minimal relaxation to general anesthesia, and the right choice depends on the patient’s needs, medical history, and the treatment planned. We review the options together before any care begins.

Schedule a visit with a dentist who understands autism

Whether you are looking for routine dental care or need more complex treatment, our team is here to support you every step of the way. We are happy to discuss insurance and financing options for your care.