Special needs dentistry · St. Louis
Special Needs Dentistry in St. Louis
The Dental Anesthesia Center cares for children and adults with special needs who cannot be treated comfortably in a traditional dental setting. Our doctors provide complete dental care under sedation or general anesthesia in a calm, welcoming office in Clayton.
If you are arranging care for someone you love, we will walk through every step with you, from the first phone call to the day of treatment.
What we provide
Complete dental care in one place
Our practice offers the full range of dental care for patients with special needs, all under one roof.
Care we provide includes:
- Thorough dental examinations
- Digital X-rays
- Professional cleanings
- Cavity treatment
- Emergency dental care
- Preventive dentistry
Every procedure can be performed under sedation or general anesthesia. For many patients, treatment that would take several appointments elsewhere can be completed in a single visit.
Who we help
Care for a wide range of conditions
If a condition, diagnosis, or past experience makes dental care difficult, our doctors can help. We treat patients with:
Developmental conditions
- Down syndrome
- Autism
- Cerebral palsy
- Intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Angelman syndrome
- Fragile X syndrome
- Asperger’s syndrome
- Rett syndrome
- Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD-NOS)
- Childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD)
Neurological and degenerative conditions
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Huntington’s disease
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Brain injury
Anxiety and sensory challenges
- Dental phobia
- Severe dental anxiety
- Sensitive gag reflex
- Inability to become numb
Behavioral and medical considerations
- ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
- ADD (attention deficit disorder)
- Modified behavior
- Medically compromised patients (allergies, complications, and other medical concerns)
If you do not see a condition listed here, call us at (314) 862-7844. Our team will talk through your situation and help you decide whether our office is the right fit.
Why families choose us
Not a typical dental office
Patients come to us when a traditional dental setting has not worked. Everything about our office is built around making care possible.
The Dental Anesthesia Center is a privately owned practice that proudly remains doctor-owned, allowing us to keep our focus where it belongs, on exceptional, patient-centered care. Families who visit us can expect:
- Dentist anesthesiologists who administer sedation and general anesthesia in our office
- A calm, sensory-aware environment with equipment and techniques suited to each patient
- Experience with both pediatric and adult patients with special needs
- Complete care under one roof, from routine cleanings to extensive treatment plans
Every patient’s needs are unique. Before we recommend anything, we take time to understand sensory sensitivities, communication preferences, medical history and medications, previous dental experiences, and comfort level with each step of care.
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.
Beyond the office
Community involvement and advocacy
Our commitment to special needs dentistry extends beyond our practice. We take part in community events like the annual Autism Walk and the Autism Glow Run, and we work with local special needs organizations to promote oral health awareness and access to dental care.
Questions answered
Frequently asked questions
Common questions from patients, parents, and caregivers. If yours is not here, call us. We are happy to talk it through.
What makes a dentist qualified to treat patients with special needs?
Look for advanced training in sedation and anesthesia, experience with patients who have a wide range of conditions, and an office environment designed around sensory comfort. Our doctors are dentist anesthesiologists with years of experience caring for patients with autism, sensory processing differences, and developmental disabilities, and dental residents from Saint Louis University and the University of Pittsburgh rotate through our office to learn this care.
What types of sedation are available for special needs dental care?
We offer every level of sedation, including nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral conscious sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. The right option depends on your loved one’s needs, medical history, and the treatment planned, and we review the choice together before any care begins.
Is sedation dentistry safe for patients with special needs?
Sedation dentistry is generally considered safe when it is administered by doctors trained in anesthesia and the patient has been carefully evaluated first. We complete a thorough evaluation before treatment, monitor patients continuously during procedures, and follow strict safety protocols. Each sedation plan is customized to the patient’s medical history and specific needs.
Schedule a visit for you or your loved one
Taking the first step can feel overwhelming. Our team will listen, answer your questions, and help you plan a comfortable visit. We look forward to meeting you and your loved one.