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On Monday, January 30, 2017, Sugar Land Modern Dentistry is partnering with The Pacific Dental Services Foundation® to unveil a new special needs clinic which will offer dentistry, dental education, and resources to children with special needs, including Cerebral Palsy, Downs Syndrome, and Autism, etc. (Please see Open House details below.) Sugar Land is the first of many practices, all funded by the PDS Foundation, which will be converted to accommodate the treatment of the special needs community. PDS Foundation’s goal for 2017 is to add three more centers, with the long term plan to have one in each of the 17 markets PDS currently supports.
The basic design of the facility differs from a traditional dental office. The waiting room looks like a living room, featuring couches instead of chairs, and whimsical rugs. In order to accommodate individuals with various disabilities, there are specially designed chairs, a treatment bench that allows for better stabilization, and a mobile treatment cart so the clinician can move freely to accommodate an individual in a wheel chair. For those patients who cannot sit in a traditional dental chair, bean bag chairs will be utilized to provide the necessary sensory input. Additionally, there are multiple sensory items throughout the office which will engage the patient and help minimalize stress. Since many of these individuals are non-verbal, visual story aids will allow the clinician and staff to show the patient what can be expected at the visit. In order for the patient to best prepare for the dental visit, kits are provided prior to arrival which include materials to help familiarize the patients with items which will be found in the dental practice. The team is trained in best practices and will use special intake forms for patient familiarization and optimal scheduling.
The office was designed by Dr. Jacob Dent, who will also lead the practice. A father to a child with Autism, Dr. Dent says, “It is our greatest hope that this office provides those with special needs in our community the opportunity to go to the dentist, have positive experiences and receive the care they greatly need.” He is an SME of Special Needs Dentistry for the PDS Institute, the dental representative of the Special Olympics, an advisory board member for Hope for Three, and a Pacific Dental Services Foundation advisory board member.
The Pacific Dental Services Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to create opportunities to serve through improving oral healthcare locally, nationally and internationally. The Foundation has four key pillars to provide access and advocacy to disadvantaged and underserved communities: PDS Foundation Mobile Dental Clinic; Special Needs Advocacy and Training; International Service Trips; and Oral Health Scholarships. Sugar Land Modern Dentistry donates time, money and volunteer hours to Autism Speaks, Attack Poverty, Houston Food Bank, and Star of Hope Mission.
Come to the Open House
What: The Very Special Open House event will include a brief Special Needs Dentistry Educational Session by Dr. Jacob Dent, a ribbon cutting with Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, hors d’ oeuvres and refreshments and tours of the new special needs friendly facility.
Where: 19984 Southwest Freeway, Suite 100, Sugar Land, TX 77479
When: Monday, January 30 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Media Visuals: Special Needs Clinic, Special Needs Dental Educational Materials, Dr. Jacob Dent
Source: The Pacific Dental Services Foundation®
