At Dentistry of Bethesda, comfort comes first. We start with a simple conversation to understand what helps you feel safe, then tailor the visit to your needs. Our rooms are wheelchair-accessible and include movable dental chairs, allowing many patients to remain in their wheelchairs during care. We explain every step at a calm pace and aim to treat without routine sedation; when sedation is the safest choice, we coordinate IV sedation with a trusted oral surgeon.

Let Dentistry of Bethesda Tend to Your Special Needs Dentistry

Individuals with physical and developmental challenges require special care. Dr. Hornstein has been providing care for special needs patients since 1991, and our Bethesda dental office is designed to make caring for special needs patients as comfortable and easy as possible. If you use a wheelchair to get around, you’ll find it easy to access our office, and our treatment rooms are big enough to allow for easy transfer from your wheelchair to the dental chair. However, if transfer is not possible, we have movable dental chairs. While most dental chairs are bolted to the floor, ours can be moved, allowing you to remain in your wheelchair while you receive your care. Complications that you might run into at other dental offices won’t be a problem at Dentistry of Bethesda.

Individualized Care for Special Needs Patients  in Bethesda

Dr. Hornstein always takes great pains to determine the best treatment style for each individual special needs patient. Some dentists will only treat special needs patients with the help of sedation, but Dr. Hornstein is well-practiced at the art of treating patients with various types of disabilities without sedation. His advanced education and experience have provided him with the tools to make patients feel at ease in his presence, and he will never touch a patient until he is confident that he or she completely trusts him. Should sedation be necessary, Dr. Hornstein maintains a relationship with an oral surgeon who can provide IV sedation so that all dental procedures can usually be performed in one visit to eliminate trauma to the patient.

Inclusive Care for Every Need

Dr. Hornstein accepts cases that many dentists are not equipped to handle, including children with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, ADHD, and autism. He also treats adults with developmental issues, which normally falls to pedodontists who may not have the right tools or dental materials to handle adult patients. His care also extends to patients with chronic diseases such as Lou Gehrig’s disease, Parkinson’s, lupus, dementia, and Alzheimer’s, as well as stroke victims, quadriplegics, paraplegics, and those with seizure disorders. Dr. Hornstein even handles patients with psychological disorders, including manic-depressives and schizophrenics.

Maintaining Relationships in the Special Needs Community

Dr. Hornstein recently completed his board membership with the Maryland Foundation, where he served as a member and most recently as the immediate past president. He maintains relationships with numerous organizations for special needs, including the following:

  • CSAAC
  • The Jewish Foundation for Group Homes
  • The ARC Montgomery County
  • Service Coordination
  • CALMRA

Pre-Visit Consultation & Comfort Plan

  • Pre-visit phone consult to understand goals, triggers, and preferred communication.

  • Review of medical history/medications and care coordination needs.

  • Quiet-time scheduling (first/last appointment) when helpful.

Accessibility & Accommodations

  • Wheelchair-accessible rooms with space to remain in your wheelchair if a transfer isn’t possible.

  • Movable chairs and unrushed pacing to reduce stress.

  • Quiet-time appointments and simple comfort options on request.

  • When safest, we coordinate IV sedation with a trusted oral surgeon.

Experience the Difference

Dentistry of Bethesda provides compassionate, personalized dental care for all members of your family, including those with special needs. Contact Bethesda dentist Dr. Spencer Hornstein today at (301) 530-2700 to schedule your consultation. We happily treat patients from Silver Spring, North Bethesda, Rockville, Chevy Chase, Potomac, and the surrounding areas.

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Tell us about your needs and we’ll help you plan a comfortable, stress-free visit.

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Essential FAQs About Special Needs Dentistry at Dentistry of Bethesda

1. How does Dentistry of Bethesda accommodate patients who use wheelchairs?
Our office is wheelchair-accessible, with spacious treatment rooms and movable dental chairs that allow patients to remain in their wheelchairs during care if transferring is not possible.

2. Does Dr. Hornstein treat special needs patients without sedation?
Yes, Dr. Hornstein is experienced in treating many special needs patients without sedation by building trust and providing gentle care. When sedation is necessary, he collaborates with an oral surgeon for IV sedation to safely perform treatments in one visit.

3. What types of special needs patients does Dr. Hornstein care for?
Dr. Hornstein treats patients with a variety of conditions, including children with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, ADHD, autism, as well as adults with developmental disabilities, chronic diseases like Parkinson’s and lupus, physical disabilities, and psychological disorders.