Special Needs Dentists in California

California has a variety of health professionals experienced and willing to help your loved one with special needs. Although it can be tricky, with the right guidance you will be able to find the right dentist that your loved one can feel comfortable with, and that your child can use for their dental needs on a routine basis.

A special needs dentist is an individual that has undergone years of additional training in order to prepare to care for patients with special needs. These individuals will be those that you will generally want to gravitate toward, however, no single database exists that is especially good at locating special needs dentists. Do not fear, we have resources available that will help you find the right dentist.

“Everyone deserves the best dental experience possible. Teams that are trained to work with special needs patients have the training and extra dose of compassion. These resources are a great place to start.”

This article is also available in Spanish by clicking here.

California Special Needs Resources

In California, there are plenty of ways to find a good special needs dentist. Consider reaching out to a local Autism Society of America Affiliate, the Center for Parent Information and Resources or the National Down Syndrome Society. Although these groups do not specifically deal with dentistry, they advocate for and seek to assist those with special needs. Each of these will help you access individuals with personal experience with dentists within California.

Other resources include the Special Care Dentistry Association, which has a website and offers the ability to search for a member dentist in your area. Your local collegiate dental clinics are also a good starting point, many universities and colleges will have dental clinics, and many will service special needs patients.

Some other good local resources include:

• In Los Angeles you can check out UCLA school of dentistry special patient care. USC provides special needs dentistry as well.

• In San Francisco, the University of the Pacific has a Special Care dental clinic. UCSF school of dentistry also offers hospital dentistry services for those requiring special care. The Berkeley Parents Network is a good resource, it offers a platform for parents in that area to communicate and help one another with all types of parental concerns.

• In San Diego, Rady Children’s hospital has Anderson Center for Dental Care. Also in San Diego, there is the Naval Medical Center San Diego Clinic, which offers treatment for children with down syndrome and autism. You may also want to examine the Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego for information regarding your child’s health.

• For further options, start by searching google for special needs dentists in your area. Try additional sites as well. If you search ADA.org and look for the pediatric specialty (there is no special needs option), some dental practices will have experience with special needs patients.

Additional means to find the right dentist for your loved one

• Speak with your dentist about dentists they could suggest
• Contact many local dentists, ask them whether they can suggest someone
• Speak with friends or family members
• Speak with other guardians of a special needs child
• Speak with your loved one’s teachers, principal, etc.
• Speak with your loved one’s doctors, nurses, etc.
• Expand your search to “hospital dentistry” and “pediatric dentistry”

A couple additional things to consider

• Give yourself enough time to find a good doctor
• Many quality dentists that treat special needs patients require scheduling many months in advance
• Narrow options down to a shortlist, speak with these dentists to get an idea of to their temperament, experience, etc.
• Give the dentist a realistic impression as to what might be expected
• Use the conversations with potential dentists to inform your decision as to which to ultimately go with.

Giving a realistic impression of what can be expected should prompt a conversation which should illuminate the likelihood of the dentist being a good fit. Those that are receptive and willing, especially those that can draw on the experience of similar patients, will be relatively easy to distinguish in conversation. If feasible, you may even consider giving your loved one a chance to speak with their potential new dentist. This will give them a chance to familiarize themselves with one another, and will likely give an idea of their ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with one another.

A good dentist for a special needs patient will make a visit much more manageable and much more beneficial to your loved one. If you utilize these resources, you will find a quality, local dentist for your loved one’s needs, regardless of where you live in California.

City By City Resources

Reaching out to a dentist that is able to work with your special needs loved one can be an intimidating part of the process. Our team went through as many dental offices as we could find throughout California to find practices that specifically mention their ability to work with special needs patients. We hope this list can help you find the care that you and your loved ones need.

If you think there is a practice that we should have included on this list, please reach out to us!

Southern California & Ventura County | San Joaquin Valley | Sacramento Valley | North Coast | Central Coast & Monterey County | Bay Area & San Jose

Southern California

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Dental Office: Dr. Susanne P. Berger, DDS
Resource: https://www.oceanadventuredentist.com/
Address: 28040 Dorothy Dr #201, Agoura Hills, CA 91301
Phone Number: (818) 889-2061

Dental Office: Carlsbad Children’s Dentistry
Resource: http://sunnysmilez.com/blog/choosing-kids-dentist-carlsbad-child-special-needs/
Address: 3257 Camino De Los Coches Suite 304, Carlsbad, CA 92009
Phone Number: (760) 633-1131

Dental Office: Discovery
Resource: https://www.captainfloss.com/special-needs-dentistry
Address: 6221 Metropolitan St. Suite 202, Carlsbad, CA 92009
Phone Number: (760) 438-1279

Dental Office: Lowe & Rossopoulos Dental Specialists
Resource: http://www.loweandrossdentalspecialists.com/pediatric-special-needs/services/pediatric-dentistry/sedation-dentistry-for-children/
Address: 802 Magnolia Ave. Suite 105, Corona, CA 92879
Phone Number: (951) 371-8833

Dental Office: Pediatric and Adolescent Dentistry and Orthodontics
Resource: http://www.dentaldocsforkids.com/blog/post/dental-care-is-difficult-but-not-impossible-for-a-special-needs-child.html
Address: 773 Broadway, El Cajon, CA 92021
Phone Number: (619) 440-5915

Dental Office: Hawthorne Smile Spa
Resource: https://hawthornesmilespa.com/services/special-needs/
Address: 13412 Inglewood Avenue, Hawthorne, CA 90250
Phone Number: (310) 219 3266

Dental Office: Lowe & Rossopoulos Dental Specialists
Resource: http://www.loweandrossdentalspecialists.com/pediatric-special-needs/services/pediatric-dentistry/sedation-dentistry-for-children/
Address: 18821 Delaware St. Suite 206, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Phone Number: (714) 841-2319

Dental Office: Tiny Teeth Children’s Dentistry
Resource: http://www.tinyteethirvine.com/treatment/special-needs-dentistry.aspx
Address: 18 Endeavor Ste. 302, Irvine, CA 92618
Phone Number: (949) 653-8469

Dental Office: Center for Pediatric Dentistry
Resource: http://www.centerforpediatricdentistry.com/blog/post/dental-care-is-difficult-but-not-impossible-for-a-special-needs-child.html
Address: 2250 W. Whittier Blvd Suite 200, La Habra, CA 90631
Phone Number: (562) 690-3750

Dental Office: Theurer Orthodontics
Resource: http://www.theurerorthodontics.com/blog/2013/07/how-do-you-accommodate-a-child-with-special-needs
Address: 1629 W. Ave. J Ste. 108, Lancaster, CA 93534
Phone Number: (661) 949-2290

Dental Office: Newport Children’s Dentist
Resource: http://www.newportchildrensdentist.com/patient-Info/Special-Needs-Dentistry/nomobi/true.aspx
Address: 400 Newport Center Dr. Suite 206, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Phone Number: (949) 706-7400

Dental Office: Northridge Dental Group
Resource: https://www.northridgedentalgroup.com/dental-care/general-family-dentistry/sedation-and-special-needs/
Address: 9801 Balboa Boulevard, Northridge, CA 91325
Phone Number: (818) 886-6100

Dental Office: Just for Kids
Resource: https://www.jfkpedoriverside.com/special-needs-dentistry
Address: 7170 Indiana Avenue, Riverside, CA 92504
Phone Number: (951) 248-0567

Dental Office: Chad Tomazin DDS
Resource: https://www.iedental.com/blog/dentistry-special-needs-patients/
Address: 7154 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92504
Phone Number: (951) 686 3666

Dental Office: Pediatric Dental Care – Dr. Corina Ramirez
Resource: https://www.drcorinaramirez.com/blog/preparing-your-child-with-down-syndrome-for-special-needs-dentistry/
Address: 1075 Via Verde, San Dimas, CA 91773
Phone Number: (909) 305-0642

Dental Office: KidMazing Dental
Resource: https://www.kidmazingdental.com/blog/post/dental-care-is-difficult-but-not-impossible-for-a-special-needs-child.html
Address: 327 S. Rancho Santa Fe Suite G, San Marcos, CA 92078
Phone Number: (760) 744-3333

Dental Office: Market Place Dentistry
Resource: http://www.mympd.net/special-needs-dentistry/
Address: 2925 El Camino Real, Tustin, CA 92782
Phone Number: (714) 505-0123

Dental Office: Villa Park Pediatric Dentistry
Resource: https://www.vppediatricdentist.com/services/special-needs-care
Address: 1467 N Wanda Rd Ste 195, Villa Park, CA 92867
Phone Number: (714) 978-4274

Dental Office: Melrose Dental Arts
Resource: https://melrosedentalarts.com/caring-for-patients-with-special-needs/
Address: 620 S. Melrose Dr. #200, Vista, CA 92081
Phone Number: (760) 724-9117

Dental Office: Funzone! Children’s Dentistry and Orthodontics
Resource: https://childrensdentalfunzone.com/services/treatment-for-special-needs-children/
Address: 2233 E Garvey Ave N. – Suite A, West Covina, CA 91791
Phone Number: (626) 966-3033

Dental Office: Oak Park Dentistry for Children & Orthodontics
Resource: https://www.oakparkdentistryforchildren.com/special-needs.php
Address: 1115 Lindero Canyon Rd, Westlake Village, CA 91362
Phone Number: (818) 889-5440

Dental Office: Lowe & Rossopoulos Dental Specialists
Resource: http://www.loweandrossdentalspecialists.com/pediatric-special-needs/services/pediatric-dentistry/sedation-dentistry-for-children/
Address: 8135 S. Painter Ave. Suite 202, Whittier, CA 90602
Phone Number: (562) 907-4522

Ventura County

Dental Office: Garrett D Toy, DDS
Resource: http://www.drtoydentistry.com/sedation-dent/special-needs-disabilities/
Address: 3615 Las Posas Rd # 145, Camarillo, CA 93010
Phone Number: (805) 484-8363

Dental Office: Newbury Park Dentistry for Children
Resource: http://www.newburyparkdentistryforchildren.com/
Address: 2277 Michael Dr #2, Newbury Park, CA 91320
Phone Number: (805) 498-2802

Dental Office: Oak Park Dentistry for Children & Orthodontics
Resource: https://www.oakparkdentistryforchildren.com/special-needs.php
Address: 1188 Roadrunner Way, Simi Valley, CA 93065
Phone Number: (805) 526‑1188

Dental Office: Conejo Free Clinic
Resource: http://conejofreeclinic.org/index.php
Address: 80 E Hillcrest Dr # 102, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
Phone Number: (805) 328-3100
Email: info@conejofreeclinic.org

Dental Office: Sunny Smiles
Resource: https://www.sunnysmilesdental.com/services/
Address: 789 S Victoria Ave #204, Ventura, CA 93003
Phone Number: (805) 644-5516

Dental Office: Jeffrey J. Petron DDS
Resource: https://www.jeffreypetrondds.com/special-needs-children-dentistry/
Address: 10235 Telephone Rd. Suite A, Ventura, CA 93004
Phone Number: (805) 647-7606

San Joaquin Valley

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Dental Office: Willow Dental Group
Resource: http://shawneandersondds.com/dentist/considerations-for-dental-patients-with-special-needs/
Address: 6753 N Willow Ave, Fresno, CA 93710
Phone Number: (559) 434-1088

Dental Office: Brookside Dental Care
Resource: https://www.brooksidedentalcare.net/blog/post/dental-care-is-difficult-but-not-impossible-for-a-special-needs-child.html
Address: 3031 West March Lane, Stockton, CA 95219
Phone Number: (209) 952-8804

Dental Office: Pediatric Dentistry of Tracy
Resource: https://www.tracykidsdentist.com/special-needs-dentistry
Address: 2160 West Grant Line Road Suite #150, Tracy, CA 95377
Phone Number: (209) 832-7906

Dental Office: Cesar Acosta DMD Family Dentistry
Resource: http://www.turlockdentistrygroup.com/blog/post/dental-care-is-difficult-but-not-impossible-for-a-special-needs-child.html
Address: 1065 Colorado Avenue Ste 3, Turlock, CA 95380
Phone Number: (209) 250-2560

Sacramento Valley

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Dental Office: Sidney D. Kelly DMD
Resource: http://www.kellyfamilydentist.com/blog/2016/11/how-do-you-accommodate-a-child-with-special-needs
Address: 2360 Professional Dr. Ste. 100, Roseville, CA 95661
Phone Number: (916) 782-9479

Dental Office: Ora Dentistry
Resource: https://www.oradentistry.com/blog/special-needs-dentistry,-in-elk-grove,-for-patients-with-sensory-processing-disorder.html
Address: 2733 ELK GROVE BLVD SUITE 180, ELK GROVE, CA 95758
Phone Number: (916) 975-1000

Dental Office: Smile Island
Resource: https://www.smileislanddentalgroup.com/special-needs-patients/special-care-forms/
Address: 6522 Lonetree Blvd, Rocklin, CA 95765
Phone Number: (916) 773-6565

Dental Office: Ljubica D. Petrasic, DDS
Resource: http://www.petrasicdental.com/procedures/prevention-services/dental-care-for-special-needs-patients/
Address: 565 Brunswick Road #2, Grass Valley, CA 95945
Phone Number: (530) 273-6168

Dental Office: Reed Family Dental
Resource: http://www.reedfamilydental.com/blog/post/dental-care-is-difficult-but-not-impossible-for-a-special-needs-child.html
Address: 870 W. Onstott Rd. Suite B, Yuba City, CA 95991
Phone Number: (530) 671-2580

Dental Office: Lindsey A. Robinson DDS
Resource: http://www.grassvalleydentist4kids.com/index.asp?N=dentist-Grass-Valley-CA-Special-Needs-Patients&C=979&P=21010
Address: 453 South Auburn Street, Grass Valley, CA 95945-7224
Phone Number: (530) 272-5522

Dental Office: Ashley Harrison DDS
Resource: http://www.ashleyharrisondds.com/blog/post/dental-care-is-difficult-but-not-impossible-for-a-special-needs-child.html
Address: 1430 EAST AVENUE SUITE 6, Chico, CA 95926
Phone Number: (530) 894-5454

North Coast

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Dental Office: Alora Dentistry
Resource: https://www.aloradentistry.com/special-needs
Address: 917 Trancas Street Suite A, Napa, CA 94558
Phone Number: (707) 226-5533

Central Coast

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Dental Office: High Tech Dentistry
Resource: https://www.sbdentistry.net/caring-for-special-needs
Address: 1819 State Street Suite C, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone Number: (805) 569-0716

Dental Office: Pacific Pediatric Dentistry
Resource: https://www.pacificpediatricdentistry.com/pediatric-dentistry/special-needs-patients/
Address: 1231 OSOS STREET, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93401
Phone Number: (805) 544-3434

Dental Office: Pure Pediatric Dentistry
Resource: http://purepediatricdentistry.com/pure-pediatric-care/special-needs.html
Address: 4260 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422
Phone Number: (805) 461-1182

Dental Office: Santa Maria Dental Group & Ortho
Resource: https://www.santamariapediatricdentistry.com/special-needs-dentistry
Address: 570 E Betteravia Rd Ste C, Santa Maria, CA 93454
Phone Number: (805) 922-2888

Monterey County

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Dental Office: Monterey Pediatric Dentistry: Matthew G. Miller DDS Inc
Resource: https://www.mattmillerdds.com/sedation.php
Address: 333 El Dorado St Suite A, Monterey, CA 93940
Phone Number: (831) 375-4877

Dental Office: Smile Monterey
Resource: https://www.smilemontereypeninsula.com/
Address: 900 Sloat Ave, Monterey, CA 93940
Phone Number: (831) 658-0252

Dental Office: Joshua E. Drais, DDS
Resource: https://www.montereydentistry.net/dental-health/dental-specialties/
Address: 21 Upper Ragsdale Dr STE 160, Monterey, CA 93940
Phone Number: (831) 655-2222

Dental Office: Little Bristles
Resource: http://littlebristlespediatricdentistry.com/blog/why-choose-pediatric-dentist/
Address: 1045 Los Palos Dr, Salinas, CA 93901
Phone Number: (831) 272-2688

Dental Office: Salinas Valley Dental Specialties
Resource: http://salinaspediatricdentist.com/pediatric-dentistry-for-special-needs-children/
Address: 546 Abbott St, Salinas, CA 93901
Phone Number: (831) 424-7393

Bay Area

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Dental Office: University of the Pacific
Resource: http://www.dental.pacific.edu/departments-and-groups/pacific-center-for-special-care/education/oral-health-care-for-people-with-special-needs-course
Address: 155 Fifth Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone Number: (415) 929-6400

Dental Office: Alameda Pediatric Dentistry
Resource: http://www.alamedapediatricdentist.com/index.asp?N=pediatric-dentist-Alameda-CA-Children-With-Special-Needs&C=1150&P=27326
Address: 401 Grand Ave. Suite 150, Oakland, CA 94610
Phone Number: (510) 763-5437

Dental Office: Uptown Pediatric Dentistry
Resource: https://www.denisebassallendds.com/firstvisit/specialneeds/special-needs-banner-info/
Address: 2100 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612
Phone Number: (510) 763-2022

Dental Office: Alameda Pediatric Dentistry
Resource: http://www.alamedapediatricdentist.com/index.asp?N=pediatric-dentist-Alameda-CA-Children-With-Special-Needs&C=1150&P=27326
Address: 1105 Atlantic Ave Suite 101, Alameda, CA 94501
Phone Number: (510) 521-5437

Dental Office: Kids Smile Center
Resource: https://www.kidsmiledentalcenter.com/special-needs-dentistry
Address: 217 De Anza Boulevard, San Mateo, CA 94402
Phone Number: (650) 389-9078

Dental Office: Bay Area Pediatric Dentist
Resource: https://www.happyhealthyteeth.com/tag/special-needs/
Address: 1291 East Hillsdale Blvd. Suite 100, Foster City, CA 94404
Phone Number: (650) 574-4447

Dental Office: DeMarta Dental
Resource: http://www.demartadental.com/services-procedures/special-needs/
Address: 321 Middlefield Road Suite 100, Menlo Park, CA 94025
Phone Number: (650) 321-7270

Dental Office: May Hayder, DDS & Bessma Hayder, DDS
Resource: http://drhayder.com/special-needs-pleasant-hill-pediatric-dentist
Address: 401 GREGORY LANE SUITE 236, PLEASANT HILL, CA 94523
Phone Number: (925) 363-4200

Dental Office: Pediatric Dentistry of Pleasant Hill
Resource: https://www.phkidsdentist.com/special-needs-children-dental-health-care/
Address: 2710 Pleasant Hill Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Phone Number: (925) 947-1188

Dental Office: Arbor Dental
Resource: https://www.arborfamilydental.com/special-needs-dentistry
Address: 6471 Lone Tree Way Suite 301, Brentwood, CA 94513
Phone Number: (925) 271-4642

Dental Office: Canyon Pediatric Dentistry
Resource: http://www.smiles4kidz.com/special-needs.php
Address: 1501 Bollinger Canyon Rd #B, San Ramon, CA 94583
Phone Number: (925) 820-0303

Dental Office: Main Street Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Resource: http://www.mainstpediatric.com/dental/special-needs-dentistry/
Address: 55 West Angela Street Suite 200, Pleasanton, CA 94566
Phone Number: (925) 425-9292

Dental Office: Joshua J. Solomon, DDS, MS & Associates
Resource: http://www.livermorekidsdentist.com/special-needs-dentistry
Address: 1133 E Stanley Blvd #217, Livermore, CA 94550
Phone Number: (925) 447-1377

Dental Office: Rolling Hills Pediatric Dentistry
Resource: https://www.yourpediatricdentist.com/special-needs-dentistry
Address: 3694 Hilborn Road Suite #100, Fairfield, CA 94534
Phone Number: (707) 422-5444

Dental Office: Bay Area Kids Dentist & General Dentistry for Adults
Resource: https://www.dentistryforchildrenmilpitas.com/single-post/2018/10/20/Parents-Helping-Parents-Special-Needs-resource-fair
Address: 468 E. Calaveras Blvd. Suite D, Milpitas, CA 95035
Phone Number: (408) 263-6331

San Jose

Dental Office: Inspira Advanced Dentistry
Resource: https://www.inspiradentistry.com/page/what-sets-us-apart/
Address: 891 S Bascom Ave, San Jose, CA 95128
Phone Number: (408) 298-0777

Dental Office: Sikka Dental
Resource: http://www.drsikka.com/special-needs-dentistry.html
Address: 150 N Jackson Ave #203, San Jose, CA 95116
Phone Number: (408) 259-1280

Dental Office: Serenity Dental Group
Resource: https://www.serenitydentalsanjose.com/san-jose-special-needs-dentistry/
Address: 2510 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128
Phone Number: (408) 999-0444

Dental Office: Center for Advanced Dentistry
Resource: https://sanjosedentist.com/replace_missing_teeth/sedation_info/
Address: 105 N Bascom Ave #201, San Jose, CA 95128
Phone Number: (408) 292-2848

Dental Office: Ralph S Zotovich DDS Pediatric Dentistry
Resource: https://www.dds4kids.com/special-needs/
Address: 150 N Jackson Ave #110, San Jose, CA 95116
Phone Number: (408) 471-2943

Resources

• www.dentistry.ucla.edu/patient-care/specialized-care-special-needs
• www.dentistry.ucla.edu/patient-care/special-needs-patients
• www.childrensdentalfunzone.com/services/treatment-for-special-needs-children/
• www.cda.org/public-resources/community-oral-health-resources
• www.autismspeaks.org/search?search_api_fulltext=special%20needs%20dentist
• www.yourdentistryguide.com/special-needs
• www.scdaonline.org/
• www.dental.pacific.edu/dental-services/clinics-and-services/special-care-and-hospital-dentistry
• specialneedsresourcefoundationofsandiego.com/special-needs-resource-list-san-diego/
• www.cainclusion.org/camap/resources-and-links/organizations-for-families/
• www.autism-society.org/about-the-autism-society/affiliate-network
• www.parentcenterhub.org/region-d
• www.ndss.org

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