Dental Treatment for Patients with Special Needs

Our sedation dentists understand their needs and provide a friendly, relaxing environment for their treatment.

Schedule an Appointment – Call (314) 862-7844

Excellent

The Dental Anesthesia Center: Sedation and Sleep Dentistry4.9

Based on 260 reviews

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Ann F.

We brought our 1.5 and 3.5 year old daughters here for cleaning / check ups. Our dental hygienist Laina was amazing...made them feel so comfortable. They had a great time and keep asking when they can go to the dentist again. Dr. Hoffman was great too and made everything super quick and not stressful. Great place for kids in addition to adults!

Katherine N.

Every person in the office is so personable. That first off makes you comfortable. But then the methods used to clean my teeth, particularly. I don't feel a thing, and it's the first time in my life that I haven't. And I have a lot of anxiety about dental work, and I really do not feel a thing when my teeth are being cleaned

cupcakegirl137 J.

I came here with my 18 year old daughter who has an immense fear of Doctors and Dentist , The kindness and understanding without any judgement we received from Dr.Thom was just unbelievable. The work he did on my daughter was life changing for her . I would recommend him to anyone . Just amazing, kind talented Doctor.

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your heartfelt words! It means a great deal to our team to know that you felt welcomed, understood, and cared for. We’re especially grateful you shared how meaningful your experience was.

anissa F.

We met Dr. Shawn in Sept 2023 and in December, he removed our adult nonverbal son's wisdom teeth. Not gonna hold you, general anesthesia is billed incrementally (by the minute/quarter-hour) and is a heavy financial investment. I love this clinic because it really is a safe space for special needs families. There's a huge calm that accompanies knowing your dependent person is getting healthy. Dr. Shawn is exceptional. We drove 6 hours to get here so we'll choose a local practice for routine sedation cleanings down the road. I hope to see more neurodivergent acceptance built locally in our state's dentistry like this team has here. Meanwhile we are so grateful for this practice and grateful our son was in Dr. Shawn's care.

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for sharing your heartfelt words. We’re honored to be a place where families feel safe, supported, and understood. Your trust in Dr. Thoms and our team truly means so much to us.

Joanie M.

Dr. Thoms and Robin are excellent in their care, concern, and support. Dr. Thoms explains everything and takes his time. If I have questions or concerns, he is easy to talk to and listens well.Robin is right there by my side throughout procedures. Her technical skills and professionalism are impressive. She is terrific!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad Dr. Thoms and Robin made you feel heard, supported, and cared for. We’ll be sure to share your wonderful compliments with them—they’ll mean so much!

Most people have a dental complaint at some point in time. Those with special needs too may need dental treatment at some point in life. In fact, they can even be more vulnerable to dental problems if they are taking medication. People with Parkinson’s disease, Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Alzheimer’s disease, or those who are medically or mentally challenged may not find it very comfortable to undergo dental treatment.

It is estimated that almost 13 million children suffer from a chronic disability. Nearly 20% of the population has some special need which restricts them from receiving proper dental care.

Dental diseases are generally preventable to some extent. They are not like the other health problems that especially challenged people face. Therefore, it is essential to provide them with excellent dental care in the most convenient way. Our sedation dentists understand their needs and offer a friendly, relaxing environment for their treatment. We make an effort to ensure that people with special needs also have healthy teeth and gums like everyone else.

Sedation Dentistry – An Easy Way Out

Most people do not like the idea of visiting a dentist. Patients with special needs may find it to be even more difficult. They may be very sensitive to new surroundings and may not like any changes in their daily routine.

Sedation dentistry can be beneficial for them. It can help them to undergo the treatment without anxiety and pain.

The person taking care of them can tell them that the sedation dentist is there to relieve them from their dental troubles. The dentist can schedule the treatment to be performed when the patient is most calm. Moreover, a person can stay with the patient in the room when the dental treatment is done.

Types Of Sedation

The sleep dentist may administer different levels of sedation to the patients on the basis of their needs.

• He may decide to use oral sedation for the special needs patient who is nervous when they come for a dental check-up and treatment. This will help relax and calm them.
• The sedation dentist may prefer to use conscious sedation for patients with special needs who become restless during the dental treatment. He will administer this through IV.
• If the patient needs to undergo extensive treatment, the dentist may choose to use general anesthesia. This will have a deeper impact and make the patient more relaxed.

St. Louis Special Needs Dentistry

At The Dental Anesthesia Center we are here to help you and your loved one. The reasons that keep a person away from the dentist are personal and unique to each individual. We are a full-service dental practice providing care to various patients for all of their dental needs and desires. Call us today to schedule your initial appointment at (314) 862-7844. We look forward to meeting you!

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