Ohio has a variety of health professionals experienced and willing to help your loved one with special needs. Finding a great dentist may seem difficult but with the right guidance, you will be able to find the perfect dentist that your child or loved one will feel comfortable visiting on a regular 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.
Special Needs Resources in Ohio
Ohio has many great special needs resources that can help you find a wonderful dentist.
Start by visiting the . They are a great resource for dental care and finding a special needs dentist. Their directory is full of licensed and certified dentists in Ohio.
Another great resource in Ohio for your loved one with special needs is the . They have a detailed webpage with special needs resources for Cincinnati and the entire state of Ohio.
Other places to reach out to include collegiate dental schools. These colleges are filled with dental students looking for hands-on experience. offers dental services to children with special needs and many other specialties. Dental school programs often offer care for patients with special needs at a fraction of the price.
National Resources
National resources are another great place for special needs resources and finding a dentist. The American Dental Association () allow you to search for a dentist by location and specialty. They are a great resource for all things dentistry, especially special needs dentistry. Visit their website to help prepare for your loved one’s appointment and research what to expect during their dental visits.
Another great national resource is the . Their special care dentist referral service can refer to you a dentist in or near your city. You can even specify which insurance you have to make sure the dentist you find fits your needs.
Lastly, there are two great national special needs resources who are committed to connecting families and individuals to resources that help them live fulfilling lives. Visit and The to get connected today.
What to ask your potential dentist
When looking for a special needs dentist in Ohio, it’s important that you ask a potential dentist questions. This will ensure they are a good fit and will help you and your loved one feel confident at the appointment. Here are a few questions to get you started:
Are you comfortable working with a patient with special needs?
This is an important question to ask as some dentists may not feel comfortable or equipped to accommodate a patient with additional needs. Pediatric dentists receive 2-3 extra years of schooling and are a good start when finding a dentist. They are able to use their schooling to better provide dental care for a patient with special needs.
Do you have experience working with patients with additional needs?
When finding a dentist you will want someone who has previous experience. Be sure to listen for specific examples of a time when a potential dentist has worked with a patient with special needs. Overall they will be more comfortable in ensuring visit runs smoothly and that their patients are at ease throughout their checkup.
What special accommodations can be made?
Your child or loved one has unique needs and may need to have special accommodations made during their appointment. When speaking with dentists, be sure to ask if they are willing and able to make any special accommodations that your loved one may need. This can be anything from having a specific toothpaste flavor, reducing waiting room times, or making sure that the dental chair stays in the same position throughout the visit.
Preparing for the dental visit
Once you have chosen a dentist, you will want to take some steps to prepare for the visit.
Preparing ahead of time is important because it can help decrease feelings of anxiety. There are a number of things you can do before an appointment to prepare and work through any nerves.
- Visualizing what happens at the dentist
- Visit the dentist early
Visuals are a great way to see what happens at the dentist and make connections. This can be done with stories or videos and gives the patient a way to see what will be happening at their visit.
Visiting the dentist before the scheduled appointment can be beneficial because it allows patients to familiarize themselves with the environment such as seeing the lights and equipment, and hearing the sounds. You and your loved one can meet the office and staff members and go over any accommodations that may need to be made.
Sedation Dentistry
Sometimes patients with special needs can benefit from being sedated with general anesthesia during a dental appointment. Those who are extremely apprehensive or uncooperative may need sedation during their appointments in order to receive the care they need. Sedation dentistry, or “sleep dentistry”, helps to keep the patient calm and in a relaxed state. This type of sedation is not the same as being put under.
There are a few different types of sedation that may be available at your dentist. They include:
Inhaled minimal sedation: Breathing in nitrous oxide combined with oxygen to help relax. Your dentist is in complete control of sedation that is given.
Oral sedation: Can range from minimal to moderate. This type of sedation is most commonly associated with sedation dentistry. The pill makes will make the patient drowsy while a more moderate dose may make the patient fall asleep.
IV moderate sedation: A sedation drug is given through a vein and works more quickly. Your dentist will be able to continually adjust the sedation levels.
Deep sedation & general anesthesia: Medication is given that will make the patient nearly or totally unconscious. While under general anesthesia you cannot easily be awakened until the effects of the medication wear off or are reversed.
If the patient suffers from any other medical conditions be sure to consult with your dentist before choosing a sedation method. You don’t want any medication from the sedation to interfere with the medical condition.
Special Needs Dentist by Region
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If you’re feeling overwhelmed about finding the perfect special needs dentist, you’re in luck. Our team through as many dental offices as we could to find practices that specifically mentioned working with patients with special needs to make your search easier. We’ve provided you with all the information you will need when scheduling an appointment and hope you find this list useful.
If you think there is a practice that should be included in our list, we encourage you to reach out to us!
Central Ohio
Dental Office: Marshall Dental
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Phone Number: 1 (614) 836-1033
Hours: Mon 8 am – 4 pm; Tues, Thurs 9 am – 5 pm; Wed 9 am – 6 pm; Fri 8 am – 1 pm
Dental Office: Golden Orthodontics
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Phone Number: 1 (614) 235-4800
Hours: Mon – Fri 8:30 am – 5 pm
Dental Office: Precision Orthodontics
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Phone Number: 1 (614) 915-3628
Hours: Wed, Thurs 9 am – 4 pm
Dental Office: Marshall Family Orthodontics
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Phone Number: 1 (614) 451-6464
Hours: Mon 10 am – 6 pm; Tues – Thurs 7:30 am – 4:30 pm
Dental Office: Delaware Smile Center
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Phone Number: 1 (740) 417-9565
Hours: Mon – Tues 12 pm – 7 pm; Thurs 7 am – 3 pm; Fri 8 am – 4 pm
Dental Office: Legacy Family Dental
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Phone Number: 1 (614) 336-7643
Hours: Mon 10:30 am – 6 pm; Tues – Thurs 6:30 am – 3 pm
Dental Office: Schneider Family Dental
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Phone Number: 1 (614) 467-8284
Hours: Mon, Tues 8 am – 6 pm; Wed 8 am – 1 pm; Thurs 8 am – 5 pm
Dental Office: Dental Reflections Dublin
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Phone Number: 1 (614) 799-5576
Hours: Mon 7:30 am – 4 pm; Tues, Wed 8 am – 5 pm; Thurs 6:30 am – 2:30 pm; Fri 8 am – 12 pm
Dental Office: Granville Pediatric Dentistry
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Phone Number: 1 (740) 587-7000
Hours: Mon – Thurs 8 am – 5 pm; Fri 8 am – 3 pm
Dental Office: Holman and Holman Dental
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Phone Number: 1 (614) 682-8645
Hours: Mon – Thurs 8 am – 5 pm; Fri 8 am – 12 pm
Dental Office: Lancaster Pediatric Dentistry
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Phone Number: 1 (740) 475-0700
Hours: Mon – Fri 8 am – 5 pm
Dental Office: Kennedy Dental
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Phone Number: 1 (937) 642-3434
Hours: Mon – Wed 9 am – 6 pm; Thurs 8 am – 2 pm
Dental Office: New Albany Family Dentistry
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Phone Number: 1 (614) 656-4379
Hours: Mon – Wed 8 am – 5 pm; Thurs 8 am – 4 pm; Fri 8 am – 2 pm
Dental Office: Pataskala Family Dental
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Phone Number: 1 (740) 964-5138
Hours: Mon, Wed 8 am – 5 pm; Tues, Thurs 10 am – 7 pm
Dental Office: Shirck Orthodontics
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Phone Number: 1 (740) 927-0667
Hours: Mon – Fri 8:15 am – 5:30 pm
Dental Office: New Leaf Dental
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Phone Number: 1 (740) 964-3500
Hours: Mon, Fri 8 am – 4 pm; Tues – Thurs 8 am – 7 pm
Dental Office: Kathleen A. Varley, D.D.S.
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Phone Number: 1 (614) 864-4200
Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs 7:30 am – 5 pm; Wed 7:30 am – 2 pm
Dental Office: Buckeye Pediatric Dentistry
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Phone Number: 1 (614) 575-2225
Hours: Mon 8:30 am – 4:30 pm; Tues – Thurs 8:30 am – 5 pm; Fri 8:30 am – 1 pm
Dental Office: Oral Health Center
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Phone Number: 1 (614) 888-6811
Hours: Mon, Thurs 9 am – 6 pm; Tues 7:30 am – 3 pm; Wed 8 am – 5 pm; Fri 8 am – 2 pm
Dental Office: Dr. Anthony Lordo DDS
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Phone Number: 1 (614) 379-6156
Hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs 8 am – 5 pm; Tues 8 am – 7 pm
Northeast Ohio
Dental Office: Gentle Dental
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Phone Number: 1 (330) 724-4093
Hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs 7 am – 3 pm; Tues 10 am – 7 pm
Dental Office: DiPiero Family Dental, LLC
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Phone Number: 1 (330) 867-9494
Hours: Mon – Thurs 8 am – 5 pm
Dental Office: Berea Family Dental
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Phone Number: 1 (440) 234-2813
Hours: Mon, Wed 8 am – 5 pm; Tues 10 am – 7 pm; Thurs 8:30 am – 5:30 pm; Fri 8 am – 3 pm; Sat 7:30 am – 1 pm
Dental Office: Today’s Dentistry
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Phone Number: 1 (216) 749-0747
Hours: Mon, Tues 9 am – 6 pm; Wed 9 am – 3 pm; Tues 2 pm – 7 pm
Dental Office: Sangeetha K. Sethi DMD
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Phone Number: 1 (330) 702-8543
Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs 9 am – 4 pm
Dental Office: Said Dental
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Phone Number: 1 (330) 493-9388
Hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs 8 am – 5 pm; Tues 7 am – 4 pm
Dental Office: Childrens Dental Associates
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Phone Number: 1 (440) 708-1331
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Dental Office: Bradley S. Rabal DDS
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Phone Number: 1 (216) 593-8000
Hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs 8 am – 5 pm; Tues 10 am – 7 pm; Fri 8 am – 4 pm
Dental Office: Morrow DDS
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Phone Number: 1 (330) 923-8111
Hours: Mon, Thurs 8 am – 5 pm; Tues 12:30 pm – 7:30 pm; Fri 8 am – 4 pm
Dental Office: Dr. Jeffrey W. Laubmeier, DMD
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Phone Number: 1 (216) 226-3084
Hours: Mon – Wed 7 am – 5 pm; Thurs 7 am – 4 pm
Dental Office: Dr. Trista’s Children’s Dentistry
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Phone Number: 1 (440) 459-2100
Hours: Tues 8 am – 4 pm; Wed, Fri 8 am – 5 pm
Dental Office: Mellion Orthodontics
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Phone Number: 1 (330) 833-3335
Hours: Mon – Wed 8:30 am – 5:30 pm; Thurs – Fri 7 am – 3 pm
Dental Office: Landerbrook Dental Professionals
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Phone Number: 1 (216) 752-8888
Hours: Mon – Fri 8 am – 5 pm
Dental Office: Fioritto Family Dental
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Phone Number: 1 (440) 951-5511
Hours: Mon 7:30 am – 5 pm; Tues, Thurs 7:30 am – 6:30 pm; Wed 7:30 am – 7 pm; Fri 7:30 am – 4 pm; Sat 8:30 am – 2 pm
Dental Office: Budrys Dental
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Phone Number: 1 (440) 951-1318
Hours: Mon, Tues, Fri 8 am – 5 pm; Thurs 8 am – 7 pm; Sat 8 am – 2 pm
Dental Office: Dowell Dental Group
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Phone Number: 1 (330) 868-5001
Hours: Mon 9 am – 5 pm; Tues 8 am – 6 pm; Wed, Thurs 8 am – 5 pm; Fri 8 am – 4 pm
Dental Office: Erwin T. Su, DD
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Phone Number: 1 (330) 494-1993
Hours: Mon – Thurs 8 am – 5 pm; Fri 8 am – 12 pm
Dental Office: North Royalton Pediatric Dentistry
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Phone Number: 1 (440) 457-1222
Hours: Mon, Tues 8 am – 5 pm; Wed 9 am – 6 pm; Thurs 8 am – 4 pm; Fri 9 am – 2 pm
Dental Office: Rocky River Dental
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Phone Number: 1 (440) 331-3211
Hours: Mon – Thurs 8 am – 5 pm
Dental Office: Jane A. Silk, DDS
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Phone Number: 1 (440) 248-6699
Hours: Mon 2:30 pm – 5 pm; Tues, Thurs 11 am – 6 pm; Wed 9 am – 5 pm
Dental Office: Silk & Silk Inc
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Phone Number: 1 (440) 248-6699
Hours: Mon – Thurs 7 am – 2 pm
Dental Office: Johanna K. Conrad, DDS
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Phone Number: 1 (330) 336-6590
Hours: Mon – Thurs 8:30 am – 5 pm
Dental Office: Dr. Kathryn M. Shroyer
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Phone Number: 1 (440) 835-4848
Hours: Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 9 am – 5 pm
Dental Office: Dr Fred
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Phone Number: 1 (440) 585-0011
Hours:
Northwest Ohio
Dental Office: Bowling Green Pediatric Dental Group
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Phone Number: 1 (419) 352-2593
Hours: Mon 8 am – 6 pm; Tues – Thurs 8 am – 4:30 pm
Dental Office: Minster Pediatric Dentistry
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Phone Number: 1 (419) 628-3380
Hours: Mon – Wed 8 am – 5 pm; Thurs 8 am – 3 pm
Dental Office: Dental Excellence
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Phone Number: 1 (877) 216-9296
Hours: Mon – Thurs 7 am – 7 pm; Fri 8 am – 4 pm
Dental Office: Firefly Children’s Dentistry
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Phone Number: 1 (419) 405-7171
Hours: Mon – Fri 8 am – 5 pm
Dental Office: Westmeyer Dental
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Phone Number: 1 (419) 382-3485
Hours:
Southeast Ohio
Dental Office: Belpre Dental Solutions
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Phone Number: 1 (740) 423-5551
Hours: Mon – Fri 8 am – 5 pm
Dental Office: Hal S.Jeter, DDS Inc.
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Phone Number: 1 (740) 377-2020
Hours: Mon, Tues 8:30 am – 6 pm; Wed, Thurs 8:30 am – 5 pm
Dental Office: Kids First Pediatric Dental Care
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Phone Number: 1 (740) 617-1797
Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs 8:30 am – 5; Wed 8:30 am – 2:30 pm
Southwest Ohio
Dental Office: Bellbrook Pediatric Dentistry
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Phone Number: 1 (937) 848-4848
Hours: Mon – Thurs 8 am – 5 pm; Fri 8 am – 4 pm
Dental Office: Smiles 4 Kids Pediatric Dentistry
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Phone Number: 1 (513) 771-5231
Hours: Mon – Thurs 8:30 am – 5 pm
Dental Office: Hyde Park Pediatric Dentistry
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Phone Number: 1 (513) 979-6998
Hours: Mon, Thurs 8:30 am – 5 pm; Tues 2 pm – 5 pm; Wed 7:30 am – 1 pm
Dental Office: Pediatric Dentistry of Anderson
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Phone Number: 1 (513) 232-0550
Hours: Mon – Thurs 8:30 am – 5 pm; Fri 8 am – 12 pm
Dental Office: Thomas J. Madl Jr., DMD
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Phone Number: 1 (513) 367-4048
Hours: Mon – Wed 7:30 am – 5 pm; Thurs 7:30 am – 3 pm
Dental Office: Dennis Lambert, DDS
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Phone Number: 1 (513) 754-8900
Hours: Mon, Tues 8:30 am – 5 pm; Wed – Fri 8:30 am – 4 pm
Dental Office: Milford Pediatric Dentistry
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Phone Number: 1 (513) 831-3434
Hours: Mon – Thurs 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Dental Office: Ginn Dental Care
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Phone Number: 1 (740) 335-6861
Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 8:20 am – 5 pm; Wed 7:40 am – 5 pm
Dental Office: Wilmington Dental Arts
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Address:
Phone Number: 1 (937) 382-2042
Hours: Mon – Thurs 7:15 am – 5 pm; Fri 7:15 am – 2 pm