Special Needs Patients

For several years now our office has been treating a large portion of the Santa Barbara special needs population.  Our office makes every attempt to provide the same standard of care dentistry for people with special needs as we do for our general population.  Patient's treatment decisions will be individually determined based on the person's unique needs and ability to tolerate and maintain the prescribed treatment.  Certain limitations inherently exist when treating some disabled patients. 

Our primary concern is the health and safety of all involved individuals.  This includes the medical, dental, physical, and mental/psychological health and safety of the patient, the dental staff, and ancillary help.

For each patient an oral health care plan will be developed.  These plans are dynamic and can evolve as the patients overall well-being and oral health change.

If standard of care dentistry cannot be performed routinely due to behavioral issues, oral sedation or IV sedeation will be advised.  Our office does not use physical restraint devices and will only use physical restraint when immediate safety of any person is in jeopardy. 

About IV Sedation:

Our office uses Dr. Yvonne Rochon,  a licensed and board certified dental anesthesiologist for general anesthesia.   We have been a team for several years now and find the procedure to be safe.  It is also time and cost efficient as compared to the hospital setting.  We have a large treatment room which facilitates several assistants, and the anesthesiologist's equipment.  Please call or e-mail for more information.