Special Needs Dentistry Set to Open in Chattanooga
The front of the new dental practice specializing in special needs patients ran by Dr. Michael Vaughan.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- For most people, going to the dentist office is a routine experience.
However, some patients require special attention in order to receive proper care.
Nashville Dentist Dr. Michael Vaughan said, “We had a concept of trying to provide dental care for patients with special needs.”
Dr. Vaughan has been a dentist in the Nashville area for 30 years.
In 2013 along his team, he began a specialized practice to serve an under-served demographic of patients.
Dr. Vaughan said, “It used to be that patients with special needs and intellectual disabilities used to be treated in a hospital setting, that went away about ten years ago.”
Dr. Vaughan said many of their patients in Nashville were coming from East Tennessee to receive care.
That’s why they have elected to expand, as they soon will open a new office in the Shallowford Road Business Park focused on special needs and sedation dentistry.
It is the first of its type in Chattanooga.
The office will be equipped with state of the art technology to help improve the patient experience, including televisions on the ceilings that can play whatever the patients want while going through a procedure.
Dr. Vaughan said, “What makes this place special is the rooms are big. It combines the concept of a private dental office with an ambulatory surgery center.”
They held an open house on Friday to showcase the new space.
Although the dental office is geared towards those with special needs, anyone can be seen at this office.
Dr. Vaughan said, “We can get them relaxed, we can get them comfortable, so they can have their teeth cleaned. They can have their root canals done. It’s going to prevent a lot of referrals to the hospital. It’s going to prevent a lot of referrals to primary care providers. It’s going to really make a difference here in Chattanooga.”
To learn more about their practice, visit their website.
