Special Needs Dentistry at Special Smiles Center

Tailored Dental Care Focused on Sensory and Behavioral Support in Visalia, CA

Our Special Smiles Center provides a soothing, supportive dental experience for individuals with special needs.

Navarro Dentistry, Inc is proud to offer complete dental care to patients with all manner of physical and cognitive disabilities. Regardless of an individual’s physical, mental, or emotional struggles, they deserve the highest level of dental care, but may have difficulty finding a dentist’s office that can accommodate their needs. At Navarro Dentistry, these patients find a safe haven where they are treated with dignity, compassion, and care.

Inclusive Dental Care for Patients With Disabilities

Inclusive dental care goes beyond a wheelchair-accessible office; we provide this as one of many features to make visits smoother. But beyond logistics, we offer:

• Thoughtful Accessibility: Adjustable chairs, wider doors, and easy-access restrooms. We have treatment rooms with enough space for all wheelchair sizes, accommodating family members or caregivers during treatment.
• Sensory and Behavioral Support: We have a quiet room with dim lighting and offer other sensory supports for those with sensory issues.
• Tailored Care Planning: We offer extra consultations to prepare patients, allowing for longer, more flexible, or more frequent appointments when splitting treatment into smaller, tolerable visits is best.
• Specialized Training & Techniques: Our doctors and staff are trained to work with patients with intellectual, developmental, or cognitive limitations, utilizing nonverbal communication and, in some cases, sedation dentistry.
• Proactive Oral Hygiene: We understand the importance of educating patients and caregivers on proper oral hygiene at home, while accounting for limited mobility and other obstacles. We create customized at-home plans that are easily sustainable and incorporate modified tools such as adapted toothbrushes or flossing aids to make life easier for our patients with special needs.

Personalized Dental Care for Medically Complex Patients of All Ages

Routine dental care is not typical for patients with special needs. Fear of the unknown, sensory issues, limited mobility, and difficulty understanding can make dental checkups difficult and trigger significant anxiety. We tailor each appointment to every patient’s needs and limitations. Our goal is to help visits become a comfortable, routine part of self-care.

We collaborate with our patients’ physicians and other medical care professionals to provide continuity of care. When patients have complex or multiple medical issues, it is essential that we work closely with their doctors to fully understand their medical history and provide appropriate care that aligns with other treatment protocols.

Handling Complex Needs

For patients with extreme anxiety or who may not understand what is happening, we offer both mild and oral sedation with the ultimate goal of the patient eventually not needing it. We use proven desensitization techniques and focus on building trust relationships with our patients, their families, and caregivers. At each appointment, our special needs patients develop a more trusting bond with Dr. Navarro.

Special Needs Dentistry FAQs

What portion of your practice is dedicated to special needs?

15% of our current patients fall within this category; however, we have a separate waiting room and two complete treatment rooms dedicated to special needs patients, using 35% of our space for their comfort and care. Many of our special needs patients have been coming to us for years.

What features of the office environment make it more welcoming and comfortable?

The waiting room is designed for inclusive care. We have a quiet room and an oversized treatment room specifically designed for inclusive dentistry. We have sensory equipment, space for all wheelchair sizes, space for sedation dentistry, and space to accommodate family members/caregivers during treatment.

Can patients receive dental care in their own wheelchairs?

Yes. Patients are encouraged to remain in their wheelchairs for comfort. Our procedure adapts to their needs.

Is the first appointment a consultation only?

No. We understand how important it is to be as productive as possible at every appointment while staying within the patient’s comfort level. Our intentions are to complete as much as possible, from cleaning to treatment.

If you or a loved one has special needs due to physical, sensory, or emotional challenges, Navarro Dentistry is ready to help. Experience the highest quality care in an inclusive, calming environment. Take the first step toward comfortable, dignified dental care—call our office today at Navarro Dentistry Phone Number 559-635-0900 to schedule your appointment and see how we can support your needs.